Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cloud Creek, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now a recognized means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair strands capture long-term usage biomarkers in their fibers, offering a history of alcohol and substances. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can reveal alcohol and drug use for approximately three months. Gathering hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 strands, comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, or anything exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's best to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, equivalent body hair might be used. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses facial, axillary, and other hair types.

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test result in a lab involves four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about inputting a sample into a lab's system initially. It involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a swift preliminary drug abuse check. Though economical in eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be court-admissible. Presumptively positive Screening samples need another confirmation step.

For samples presumptively positive at Screening, more hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most intricate methodology to execute.

Any positive screening results undergo GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS Confirmation. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is audited in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Compared to urine tests, hair tests can identify drug use over a span of up to 90 days.
• Hard to manipulate: Tampering with hair drug tests is notably tough, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Shows usage history: Hair tests indicate a timeline of drug use, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not for recent usage: Drugs only become traceable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variance: Drug metabolite levels in hair can be influenced by hair color and personal hair growth commonalities.

Note: Though popularly called "hair follicle tests", the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp, is what gets analyzed.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cloud Creek, OK
When comparing hair follicle testing to conventional urine tests, the benefits become clear. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy, allowing substances to be identified well beyond the limits of urine tests. This makes them a preferred option for employers aiming for thorough substance screening.

The reliability of hair testing becomes apparent when considering its resistance to tampering compared to urine tests. This ensures that the detection results are more trustworthy, thereby offering peace of mind to stakeholders concerned about substance use regulations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Cloud Creek, OK
Hair follicle tests offer an extended detection span, identifying drug use up to 90 days leading up to the test. This window significantly surpasses other methods, giving employers a broad view of an individual’s substance history, crucial for comprehensive background checks.

Utilizing hair tests provides employers with a more complete profile of potential or current employees regarding substance use. This extended timeframe aids in informed decision-making processes related to hiring and ongoing employment evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cloud Creek, OK
The methodology behind hair follicle testing considerably limits the opportunity for sample tampering, presenting surveillance that urine tests find hard to match. The sample collection and analysis process ensures credible results.

This reliability is crucial for organizations relying on accurate drug testing results, reducing doubts about the validity of the test outcomes. Hair follicles stored records provide a robust barrier against the adulteration of samples, enhancing test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Cloud Creek, OK
Our expanse of testing centers nationwide, along with facilities in Cloud Creek, OK, ensures that accessing drug testing services is both easy and swift. These locations offer seamless service, facilitating quick testing procedures with minimal hassle.

With strategically placed facilities, employers and individuals can request and receive drug testing services without disrupting their schedules. This accessibility streamlines the testing process, making drug testing effortlessly convenient.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Cloud Creek, OK
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is made effortlessly simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns. Individuals and employers alike benefit from an approach focused on user-friendly experience.

In this straightforward testing process, confidentiality is a priority, ensuring that sensitive information is handled appropriately. These practices make hair follicle tests an excellent choice for those valuing discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cloud Creek, OK
Our competitive pricing models ensure that hair follicle testing is both cost-effective and accessible. Paired with rapid result times, we provide outstanding value, balancing cost with the necessity for quick and dependable outcomes.

This affordability does not sacrifice quality, making drug testing accessible to a range of companies seeking efficient and reliable results without stretching their budgets. Consistency in service quality supports businesses in vital decision-making processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Cloud Creek, OK
Hair follicle drug tests deliver precise and swift outcomes, known for their high level of accuracy in identifying substance use. The meticulous methods involved in analyzing hair samples ensure reliable results, allowing employers and individuals to trust the findings without hesitation.

Our testing approach ensures that results are not only quick but also accurate, making it an ideal choice for those requiring dependable drug test outcomes. This accuracy builds confidence for decision-making, helping maintain safe environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cloud Creek, OK
Adopting hair follicle testing promotes alignment with workplace drug-free policies, helping in compliance with industry standards. This not only mitigates legal risks but also supports the aim for a safer work environment.

By utilizing reliable drug testing methods, employers maintain standards that foster trust and safety within the workforce. These practices contribute to preserving company reputation and fulfilling legal compliance requirements in sensitive work sectors.

Drug Testing Near Cloud Creek, OK

Kenwood, OK

Jay, OK

Old Eucha, OK

Brush Creek, OK

New Eucha, OK

Eucha, OK

Rocky Ford, OK

Leach, OK

Tagg Flats, OK

Flint Creek, OK

Bull Hollow, OK

Oaks, OK

Twin Oaks, OK

Colcord, OK

Kansas, OK

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews