Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Commerce, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drug use by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reflect a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system. This step involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data required beyond what an electronic chain of custody captures.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for noticeable drugs. While Screening is a cost-effective way to eliminate drug presence in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If Screening identifies a sample as presumptively positive, further hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair with higher sensitivity than in other tests (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation, if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely tough, which enhances the accuracy of results.
• Historical insights: It offers insights into a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the levels of drug metabolites present in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out in Commerce, OK by delivering superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests.
This method offers unmatched reliability, capturing more extended periods of substance use with impressive precision. Employers can trust the results to maintain a drug-free environment effectively, mitigating risks more efficiently than urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

The most significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Commerce, OK is its extended detection window of up to 90 days.
This method provides employers an aggregated view of an individual's substance history, proving invaluable in assessing long-term substance use. With such extensive hindsight, employers can make informed decisions, improving workplace safety and effectiveness.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Commerce, OK, virtually eliminates the risk of sample tampering, offering an unquestionable testing method.
By utilizing a process that is difficult to alter, organizations ensure reliable results. Tamper-resistant characteristics of hair tests instill confidence in both employers and individuals, ensuring integrity within the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Commerce, OK benefits from the convenience of nationwide testing centers, allowing simple access to hair follicle drug tests.
Local and nationwide locations ensure accommodations for quick, hassle-free testing. These centers are strategically placed to facilitate effortless testing processes, making it easier for individuals and organizations to maintain compliance.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Commerce, OK is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results is streamlined to ensure user convenience. This confidentiality and simplicity cater directly to individual concerns, promoting widespread trust and adoption.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Commerce, OK offers hair follicle drug testing with affordable pricing and fast turnaround, providing excellent value.
Competitive price structures make these tests accessible to companies of all sizes, ensuring economic benefits without sacrificing quality. Fast processing times further enhance service value, meeting the needs of time-sensitive decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Commerce, OK, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and accuracy in identifying substance use. Precision and rapidity are hallmarks of this testing method, making it superior to other testing forms.
The ability of hair follicle tests to deliver fast, reliable results empowers individuals and organizations in maintaining compliance and ensuring safety standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Commerce, OK, employing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies and enhances peace of mind for employers.
This testing reduces legal exposure and enhances workplace safety. By adopting this method, employers align with best practices for risk management, providing a secure work environment.

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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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