Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fort Towson, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a formidable instrument for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. The hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and narcotics by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of each developing hair strand. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and various substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to alter, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. We suggest assessing the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process for laboratory analysis of a drug testing result consists of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the starting procedure of integrating a sample into the lab’s framework. This involves validating that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data input not supplied by an electronic custodial chain of control.

Screening involves a preliminary swift assessment for abusive drugs. Although Screening is economical for negating drug consumption in most cases, a screened positive result needs affirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate confirmation via a secondary process.

Should a sample be putatively positive in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original sample and ready for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from the hair at a much lower concentration than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which attributes to hair drug testing being the most complex methodology to execute.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug evaluations can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter detection timeframe of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug examination is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Presents historical information: It can show a pattern of drug consumption over an extended duration, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent consumption: It necessitates around 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fort Towson, OK, hair follicle testing provides a distinct advantage over urine tests. With enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, hair testing can recognize drug use over a more extended period compared to traditional urine assessments. It’s an essential tool for employers, offering superior insight into an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Fort Towson, OK, allows for extended drug use detection of up to 90 days. This advantage offers employers a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s substance history, surpassing the limitations of conventional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in Fort Towson, OK, significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering. Its robust collection process ensures that results are reliable and cannot be easily altered, providing a trustworthy foundation for decisions around substance use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, including in Fort Towson, OK, accessing hair follicle testing is simple and hassle-free. Our widespread centers ensure that individuals can easily undergo testing without lengthy delays, providing seamless service across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Fort Towson, OK, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedures prioritize privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns about data confidentiality and streamlining the entire testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our affordable pricing and quick turnaround times in Fort Towson, OK, make hair follicle testing an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. The competitive cost structures alongside prompt results provide excellent value and reassurance for companies conducting substance assessments.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fort Towson, OK, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in detecting substance use is unmatched, ensuring employers and individuals receive trustworthy outcomes. By focusing on high accuracy, these tests determine drug exposure efficiently and effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing gives employers in Fort Towson, OK, the compliance and peace of mind they need. By aligning with drug-free workplace policies, it minimizes legal risks and bolsters a safe, secure work environment for all employees.

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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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