Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Creta, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair strands provide extensive historical data of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can yield a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process is straightforward, relatively resistant to alteration, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, roughly 200 strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, amounts to 100mg, the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't accessible, matching quantities of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data input that an electronic chain of custody system may not provide.

In Screening, a preliminary check is conducted to detect drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug consumption in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo additional verification.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more strands are taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at concentrations significantly lower than those obtained from other test methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any initial positive result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to Confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed as necessary. The entire laboratory sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the directives of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It's notably difficult to alter a hair drug test, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a record of drug usage over a timeframe, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent usage: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair strands.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Creta, OK offers superior benefits over traditional urine tests. One advantage is its ability to detect substances over a longer period, which provides more comprehensive insights. Additionally, the consistency and reliability of hair tests in identifying drug and alcohol use ensure that employers and courts receive accurate information about an individual's substance history, making it an invaluable tool in various scenarios.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, making it an invaluable resource for employers in Creta, OK. With the ability to track drug usage over a 90-day period, this test offers a detailed overview of an individual's substance history. The extended timeframe helps employers assess potential employees more effectively, ensuring that workplace safety and integrity are upheld.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Creta, OK, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method for detecting drug use. The collection and analysis process significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, providing a reliable assessment of substance use. This ensures that the results are accurate and trustworthy, making hair tests a preferable choice over other testing methods when it comes to maintaining integrity in testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing makes it convenient to undergo hair follicle testing with numerous locations nationwide and specifically in Creta, OK. Offering quick and easy access, our testing centers ensure a hassle-free experience. This extensive network simplifies the logistics of drug testing, enabling individuals and organizations to efficiently meet their testing needs without unnecessary travel or delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Creta, OK is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are made simple while ensuring the privacy of all participants. This ease of use removes barriers for individuals and employers, allowing them to focus on obtaining accurate and confidential information regarding drug and alcohol use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Creta, OK. These cost-effective solutions ensure that organizations of all sizes can afford to maintain drug-free workplaces. Quick results and reasonable pricing provide excellent value, making hair follicle testing an attractive choice for those seeking quality testing services without compromising on costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For fast, accurate, and reliable drug testing results in Creta, OK, hair follicle tests stand out. The precision of these tests in identifying substance use is unmatched. Being able to efficiently and correctly detect drug presence ensures that individuals and organizations can trust the findings, making hair testing an essential component in maintaining compliance with various drug-free policies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Creta, OK can rely on hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. The assurance of accurate testing results reduces legal risks and fosters a safer, more productive work environment. With reliable assessments of employee substance use, companies can maintain peace of mind, knowing that they are taking proactive steps to promote safety and compliance in the workplace.

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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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