Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Crescent, OK

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair traps biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands, allowing it to offer an extended historical view of drug and alcohol use. When collected directly at the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. The collection process of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg of hair, an optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen's weight. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

There are four fundamental steps involved in processing a drug test result in the laboratory: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample undergoes preliminary processing into the laboratory's system. This includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening mandate a second confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing ahead of confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which possess a shorter detection time.
• Challenging to falsify: It's notably difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical usage insight: It offers a usage pattern over time, not restricted to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is increasingly preferred in Crescent, OK, as it surpasses urine tests in accuracy and sensitivity. The superior detection capability of hair tests makes them ideal for uncovering drug use over an extended period.

• Longer detection window
• Reduces false negatives
• Less susceptible to manipulation

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Crescent, OK, offers insights into drug use up to 90 days prior. This method provides a panoramic view of a person's substance history, beneficial for employers evaluating applicant behavior.

Utilizing hair testing paints a comprehensive picture, enabling informed decisions on employment and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Crescent, OK, hair follicle testing minimizes tampering risks intrinsic to drug testing. Its resilience to adulteration ensures dependable results, offering certainty for both employers and individuals.

This tamper-resistant attribute strengthens trust in the testing process, reinforcing integrity in the outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our network of testing locations provides convenient access throughout Crescent, OK, and beyond. Nationwide, our centers deliver quick, easy, and stress-free testing services.

The broad reach of our facilities ensures you can access testing needs swiftly, accommodating various locations across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Crescent, OK, the hair testing process is both simple and confidential. Clients appreciate the straightforward steps from ordering to receiving results, with strong emphasis on privacy and user convenience.

We prioritize discretion, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience throughout the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer affordable pricing and swift turnaround in Crescent, OK, catering to companies of all sizes. Our competitive rates paired with rapid results provide excellent value and assurance.

• Budget-friendly options
• Fast, reliable services
• Cost-effective choices for all business scales

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Crescent, OK, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its rapid, precise, and dependable results. Speed and accuracy are paramount, and hair testing excels in these areas, offering high precision in detecting substance use.

The reliability of hair testing methods ensures trustworthy outcomes, giving individuals and organizations confidence in the results' integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Crescent, OK, gain peace of mind and compliance by implementing hair follicle testing. These tests align with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks while enhancing safety.

• Ensures compliance
• Reduces legal exposure
• Promotes a safe 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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