Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Drummond, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method in identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol activity by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window for alcohol and drugs extending up to roughly three months. It is easy to gather, relatively tricky to tamper with, and straightforward to send off for analysis.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, or those surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. A jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically talking about scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing within the lab’s system. This phase ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra information entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase performs an initial swift evaluation for drug use. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for excluding drug presence in most samples, any positive screens need to be confirmed to be used in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

For samples that show presumptive positives in the Screening phase, more hair is sourced from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (like urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are used to confirm any positive results from Screening. Presumptively positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection duration.
• Hard to deceive: It is exceptionally challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It illustrates a drug use pattern over a span of time, not just current use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify immediate use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and distinct variations in hair growth may impact drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis evaluates the hair strand rather than the hair follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Drummond, OK, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine testing. It boasts a vastly superior detection period, uncovering substance use up to 90 days prior, while urine tests cannot rival this timeline. The accuracy and reliability of hair tests make it a favored choice for employers seeking a clearer picture of an individual’s substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an extensive detection window, hair follicle testing in Drummond, OK uncovers drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This capability affords employers a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee’s substance use history. The comprehensive viewpoint allows for better-informed decisions regarding employment status.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Drummond, OK’s hair follicle tests significantly reduce the potential for tampering with sample collection. This method delivers reliable results that are hard to falsify, thus providing a trustworthy testing experience. The rigorous nature of hair testing ensures that results remain uncontaminated and trustworthy, enhancing test credibility.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network of testing centers, including local options in Drummond, OK, ensures convenient access to hair follicle testing. This widespread availability allows for seamless and hassle-free testing experiences, facilitating easy testing services whenever they are needed. We prioritize accessibility and efficiency in our operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Drummond, OK, our hair follicle testing follows a straightforward and confidential process, from ordering to receiving results. We prioritize privacy, ensuring comfort and ease for our clients. This user-friendly process alleviates any concerns regarding personal confidentiality while maintaining thorough and efficient testing protocols.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Drummond, OK, we present affordable pricing structures paired with swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing. This combination brings excellent value to companies, regardless of size, ensuring peace of mind with competitive rates and prompt reporting. Our goal is to deliver cost-effective, timely testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Drummond, OK stands out for its precision and rapid results. It delivers high accuracy in identifying substance use, setting a reliable standard for testing. This method ensures swift and dependable results, allowing organizations to make informed decisions with confidence. The accuracy of hair tests in detecting past drug use makes it a preferred option for many.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Drummond, OK employers, utilizing hair follicle testing brings peace of mind, ensuring adherence to stringent drug-free workplace policies. This compliance reduces legal risks and promotes a safe working environment. Hair testing provides a level of assurance that reinforces corporate safety and accountability standards.

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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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