Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Elmer, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analyses have become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug presence by capturing biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. Collected near the scalp area, hair can offer up to a three-month observation period for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is uncomplicated, moderately resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp amounts to 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional substances, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If no scalp hair is available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be obtained. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the sample's initial integration into the laboratory’s framework. This step includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial, rapid check for drug misuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result from this preliminary test requires confirmation to be accepted legally. Presumptive positive samples in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation procedure.

When a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. During Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (such as urine or saliva), rendering hair drug tests the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo a washing procedure as necessary. The full lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection range.
• Difficulty to cheat: Successfully manipulating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus the results are more dependable.
• Provides historical data: It can reflect a pattern of substance use over time, not solely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing strategies.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair pigmentation and diverse personal hair growth patterns can influence drug metabolite concentration within hair samples.

Note: Despite being referred to as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation is conducted on the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Elmer, OK

For those in Elmer, Oklahoma, opting for hair follicle testing provides numerous benefits over old-fashioned urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, this method is far more dependable. Unlike urine tests, which primarily detect recent drug use, hair follicle testing gives a complete history of substance use, thereby providing a clearer, more reliable picture of an individual’s drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Elmer, OK

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period for drug use, up to 90 days, which provides employers and authorities a thorough view of an individual’s substance use history. This extended window ensures that any recurring or past use doesn’t go unnoticed and offers a comprehensive analysis sliding beyond just recent use, which traditional urine tests might miss.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Elmer, OK

Hair follicle tests are significantly resistant to tampering, providing credible and indisputable results. Due to the nature of hair sample collection and analysis, these tests offer robust protection against common forms of test adulteration seen with other testing methods, making it a reliable choice for accurate drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Elmer, OK

Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including local sites in Elmer, Oklahoma, ensures that individuals and employers have easy access to testing services. This widespread availability makes it convenient to obtain tests without the hassle of long-distance travel, ensuring quick and easy testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Elmer, OK

The process of scheduling, conducting, and receiving results for hair follicle testing in Elmer, Oklahoma, is user-friendly and ensures privacy. Individuals can confidently navigate through testing, knowing their privacy is respected, all while receiving fast, confidential results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Elmer, OK

We offer competitive pricing and swift result processing to cater to companies of any size in Elmer, Oklahoma. These economic and quick service offerings provide organizations with an excellent value while ensuring that they have swift access to the necessary information for maintaining safety standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Elmer, OK

Hair follicle testing stands out for its high precision and speedy outcomes in detecting substance use. Compared to traditional methods, these tests offer a higher accuracy rate, ensuring that substance use is reliably identified and results are delivered promptly. This efficiency makes it invaluable for employers and individuals who need trustworthy information promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Elmer, OK

By implementing hair follicle testing, employers in Elmer, OK can ensure strict compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks while promoting a safer work environment. This testing approach assures business owners that they are taking necessary precautions to comply with regulations and maintain workplace safety.

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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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