Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cogar, OK

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug intake through the entrapment of biomarkers in the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, the hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is not only easy to gather but also challenging to tamper with and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is considered optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighting 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be obtained. When discussing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair categories (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Four primary stages play a role in the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's framework. This process entails confirming that the sample was securely sealed and properly shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary swift evaluation for detecting drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive finding requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample exhibit a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (such as urine or oral fluids), justifying why hair drug screening is notably challenging to execute.

Confirmation for any positive Screening results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Samples that are presumptively positive undergo a washing process before Confirmation as needed. The entire lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and evaluated against ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can track drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a shorter window of detection.
• Robust against deception: Cheating a hair drug test is incredibly difficult, resulting in highly reliable outcomes.
• Historical insights: This method can chart a pattern of drug use over an extended timeframe, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable within the hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color along with individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually pertains to the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cogar, OK, hair follicle testing holds a significant edge over urine testing. With a longer detection window, hair testing provides superior accuracy and reliability, identifying drug use undetectable by urine tests. This method becomes essential for workplaces prioritizing comprehensive drug-free initiatives.

Extended Detection Window

The significant aspect of hair follicle testing in Cogar, OK, is its extended detection window. Hair tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, offering a thorough view of an individual's substance intake history. This feature grants employers a detailed understanding, aiding in more informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One critical advantage in Cogar, OK, is the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests. The well-monitored collection process makes it difficult to adulterate samples, ensuring that the results are both reliable and unquestionable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Cogar, OK offers convenient access to drug testing with our numerous nationwide and local centers. These locations provide quick and hassle-free services, ensuring that individuals and companies can benefit from easy access to necessary testing without undue stress.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Cogar, OK is simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, every step is designed to protect privacy and ensure smooth user experiences, addressing any concerns about data security and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and speedy turnaround, our hair follicle testing in Cogar, OK provides outstanding value for businesses of all sizes. Companies benefit from both cost-effective solutions and the assurance that results will be delivered promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests provide fast and accurate outcomes in Cogar, OK. This method stands out due to its high efficiency in pinpointing substance usage. The precision of these tests ensures minimal errors and quick results, making them an ideal choice for various needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle tests in Cogar, OK, aids employers in upholding workplace drug policies. This approach not only diminishes legal concerns but also promotes a safer working environment by ensuring adherence to drug-free protocols.

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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.

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