Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Colony, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a valuable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is taken near the scalp, it offers a detection period of up to around 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

Collecting a sample of 1.5 inches from roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, considered the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The drug test outcome process in the lab mainly involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This task includes ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data input that wasn't provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome must be confirmed for it to hold up in court. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample, and preparation begins for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can detect drugs up to 90 days, whereas urine tests detect for shorter periods.
• Hard to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, thereby enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It usually takes 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often incur higher costs compared to other testing options.
• Result fluctuations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels within the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination analyzes the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Colony, OK, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine tests. The superior detection accuracy and reliability ensure that substance use is identified correctly. Hair testing is less susceptible to manipulation, providing a trustworthy option for employers. This method's capacity to detect a range of substances makes it a clear winner when compared to traditional urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Colony, OK, provides an extended detection window, enabling the identification of drug use up to 90 days. Such prolonged detection periods offer employers a thorough view of an employee's substance history, allowing for more informed staffing decisions. This broad timeframe makes hair testing invaluable for organizations aiming to maintain high standards regarding drug use policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests performed in Colony, OK, are acclaimed for their tamper-resistant nature. These tests significantly diminish the risk of sample adulteration due to their collection method, which is less invasive and provides reliable results. The security and accuracy associated with this testing method ensure that results stand up to scrutiny, offering assured outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide testing locations, including services in Colony, OK. Our expansive network ensures easy access to hair follicle testing facilities, simplifying the process for individuals and businesses alike. The convenience of having testing centers readily available means that obtaining reliable testing is hassle-free and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Colony, OK, is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease of use. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the procedure remains straightforward, alleviating concerns about privacy. Clients can trust that their testing experience is discreet and designed to maintain confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Colony, OK, our hair follicle testing services deliver excellent value. Competitive pricing structures mean that companies of all sizes can access reliable testing without breaking their budget. The quick processing of results ensures businesses can make timely, informed decisions, providing peace of mind and value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Colony, OK, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results, ensuring the detection of substance use is spot-on. The precision in these tests is unmatched, providing clear insights into an individual's substance use over an extended period. The efficiency of hair testing processes guarantees that results are delivered quickly, making it a preferred choice for organizations seeking swift checks without compromising accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Colony, OK, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. This method significantly lowers legal risks and bolsters workplace safety by aligning with zero-tolerance policies. By adopting hair testing, businesses protect against potential liabilities and foster a safe and compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near Colony, OK

Hinton, OK

Red Rock, OK

Binger, OK

New Cordell, OK

Bessie, OK

Indianapolis, OK

Lookeba, OK

Central Washita, OK

Carnegie, OK

Albert, OK

Weatherford, OK

Hydro, OK

Eakly, OK

Southeast Washita, OK

Corn, 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