Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gerty, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can offer a detection window of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If there is no scalp hair available, a similar amount of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (such as facial or armpit hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system. This involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary fast assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to be considered valid in court. Samples that test positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for preparation in the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis the most challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screen is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Provides historical insight: It can show drug use patterns over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Gerty, OK, offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, these tests provide reliable results, capturing a wider range of substances. This testing method serves as an integral tool for organizations promoting a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, particularly in Gerty, OK. This method can identify drug use over a period of up to 90 days, offering employers a broader view of an individual’s substance history and aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method, significantly minimizing the risk of adulteration. In Gerty, OK, this ensures that test results are trustworthy, providing stakeholders with confidence in the integrity of the outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Gerty, OK, access to our services is quick and hassle-free. This extensive network makes drug testing readily accessible, supporting businesses in maintaining compliance effortlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Gerty, OK is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use, addressing common concerns regarding drug testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Gerty, OK, hair follicle testing provides excellent value. Our competitive rates and quick results allow companies of all sizes to manage their testing needs efficiently while maintaining budgetary constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Gerty, OK, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast and accurate results. The technology behind these tests allows for swift detection of substances, ensuring employers and authorities have the information they need promptly. The precision of this testing method is unmatched, setting a high standard for drug screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Gerty, OK aids in ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal risks and enhances safety by providing a reliable method to detect substance use, facilitating a secure 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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