Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Colcord, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair follicle analysis is widely acknowledged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair strands provide an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage as they capture biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. A hair sample taken near the scalp can give a detection range of roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.

Obtain a 1.5-inch portion, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness), from the scalp to acquire 100mg, the optimal quantity for examination and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or for more than 10 panels, 150mg is ideal. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If head hair isn’t available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When hair from the head is mentioned, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair entails all other types of hair (e.g., facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The coherent sequence in laboratory evaluation of a drug test result encompasses Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample in the lab's framework. This step confirms that the sample was securely sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any requisite data entry not covered by an electronic custody monitoring system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although Screening is economically efficient to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive result must be verified to be considered legally valid. Presumptive positives found during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

For samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the preliminary sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug evaluation a complex technique to execute.

The Confirmation process for a positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as applicable. The full laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny in compliance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and conformity to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair tests reveal drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests show a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair test is highly challenging, increasing accuracy.
• Provides a usage timeline: Offers insight into a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapacity to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations typically cost more than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair hue and individual growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Colcord, OK, surpasses traditional urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which can only detect drug use within a few days, hair testing extends the window to approximately 90 days. This provides a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug history, making it a more effective tool for employers enforcing strict no-drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Colcord, OK, is a key advantage. This testing method reveals drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers with an extensive overview of a person's substance history. Such durability in detection aids in making more informed decisions, ensuring that individuals adhere to workplace policies and safety standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Colcord, OK, hair follicle tests provide a testing method resistant to tampering. By significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests offer reliable and trustworthy results. The difficulty in manipulating hair samples makes them a preferred choice for ensuring test integrity and authenticity, reassuring employers of the validity of the substance screening process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations both nationwide and locally in Colcord, OK. These centers provide easy and hassle-free access to testing services, ensuring that individuals and employers can promptly and efficiently conduct tests. The widespread presence of our centers highlights the convenience and accessibility of our drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Colcord, OK, Accredited Drug Testing provides a simple and confidential process for drug testing. From ordering to taking and receiving results, the streamlined procedure ensures privacy and ease of use. Customers can trust the process to be discrete and efficient, addressing any privacy concerns and making the testing experience seamless and stress-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Colcord, OK, offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures, combined with quick result delivery, provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Ensuring cost-effectiveness along with reliability, we make drug testing accessible and practical for all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Colcord, OK, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests stand out for their inherent precision, swiftly identifying substance use with high accuracy. Unlike other testing methods, they minimize the chance of error, ensuring that results reflect true and reliable data. Their efficiency is unparalleled, making them the preferred choice for comprehensive substance screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Colcord, OK, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment. By employing such reliable testing practices, organizations can confidently maintain a secure and policy-adherent workplace, fostering trust and responsibility.

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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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