Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Devol, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands during hair growth. When taken near the scalp, it provides a detection span of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easily transported.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels above 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. “Head hair” refers exclusively to scalp hair, while “body hair” encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the starting stage of incorporating a sample into a lab’s systems. It ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry absent in the electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for potential drug abuse. Though cost-efficient in excluding drug use for most samples, a positive screen requires validation for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive screens necessitate an additional confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at a much lower concentration from hair than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most complex technique to execute.

Positive screen confirmations are carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, increasing accuracy.
• Historical patterns: They reveal drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: Detection in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration levels in the hair.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle within the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests in Devol, OK. It provides superior detection accuracy, significantly increasing reliability over standard methods.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing boasts a longer detection window, making it unfavorable for individuals seeking to mask drug use during the testing process.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Devol, OK, gain substantial insight with hair follicle testing due to its ability to detect drug use over an extended period—up to 90 days. This provides a thorough view of an individual's substance habits.

The long detection window of hair testing ensures that any substance use during this time frame is discernible, aiding in making informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Devol, OK, significantly lower the chances of sample tampering, ensuring the delivery of authentic results. This reliability is unmatched when compared to other testing methods.

The inherent challenge in altering or adulterating hair samples ensures that the results remain consistent and credible, thereby fostering trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers spread nationwide, including in Devol, OK, the accessibility of hair follicle testing is unmatched, ensuring quick and easy access without complications.

Our widespread network guarantees hassle-free testing experiences, providing local access while maintaining our standard high-quality services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Devol, OK, the process of administering hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, privacy concerns are effectively addressed.

The straightforward nature of this testing ensures ease of use, while the secure handling of results maintains confidentiality, comforting participants concerned with privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Devol, OK, provides tremendous value to companies, big or small.

Our affordable rates matched with our prompt delivery of test results make it a favorable choice for firms seeking efficient and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Devol, OK, hair follicle drug testing is known for its speed and accuracy. Recognized for rapidly identifying substance use, these tests deliver results with remarkable precision, ensuring confidence in their findings.

The efficiency of hair testing stands out in delivering timely results without compromising accuracy, making it a trusted solution in detecting trace substance use proficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Devol, OK, guarantees compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies, helping to reduce legal liabilities and enhance safety measures.

Employers gain assurance in knowing that this form of testing supports adherence to regulatory standards, maintaining a secure and drug-free 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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