Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greenfield, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake by preserving biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When the sample is taken from near the scalp, hair can detect alcohol and drugs for up to around three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair specimen consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered optimal for both screening and confirmatory procedures. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to use 150mg of hair. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair not be an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be submitted. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other variants (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary phases in a lab's drug testing workflow are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial intake of a specimen into a laboratory system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry omitted by an electronic custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to negate drug usage across most samples, courts require confirmation of any positive results. Presumptive positives from Screening necessitate a confirmatory test.

For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the specimen for the Extraction phase. At this point, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screen result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. As necessary, samples with presumptive positives undergo a washing process before confirmation. This comprehensive laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to evaluations by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) and ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Detects drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter spans.
• Hard to cheat: High resistance to evasion attempts, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Chronological data offered: Supplies an extensive view of drug consumption patterns over a timeline, beyond recent use.

Limitations:

• Misses recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair generally after 5-7 days.
• Cost factor: Hair drug tests typically come at a higher cost compared to other methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Drug metabolite levels can be influenced by hair color and individual growth differences.

Note: Although often labeled "hair follicle tests," the procedure assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Greenfield, OK
Hair follicle tests offer superior accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. Their ability to detect a wider range of substances over an extended period makes them ideal for rigorous drug policies. Unlike urine tests that often cover only a short timeframe, hair testing provides a more comprehensive assessment, offering unbeatable reliability for employers and regulatory bodies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Greenfield, OK
The substantial detection window of hair follicle testing, stretching up to 90 days, gives employers a detailed overview of an individual's drug use history. This extensive timeframe allows for monitoring long-term habits rather than recent activities, serving as an invaluable tool for organizations focusing on long-term compliance and policy maintenance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Greenfield, OK
One of the key advantages of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. It is considerably harder to adulterate a hair sample compared to other methods, granting reliable and irrefutable results. This robustness eliminates doubts concerning the authenticity of test results, assuring organizations that they are getting clear and honest information.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Greenfield, OK
With a wide network of testing centers nationwide, accessing drug testing services is both convenient and hassle-free. Our local facilities in Greenfield, OK, offer quick and easy access, ensuring that your testing needs are met with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Greenfield, OK
Our drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving the results, we protect your privacy every step of the way. This ensures a seamless and anxiety-free experience for all involved, safeguarding sensitive information effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Greenfield, OK
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times set us apart, delivering excellent value for companies of all sizes. You can rely on our efficient processes to provide rapid results without compromising on quality, ensuring your business remains vigilant and compliant at an economical cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Greenfield, OK
Hair follicle drug tests deliver rapid and precise outcomes, boasting high accuracy in tracing substance use. The thoroughness of these tests ensures that any substance consumed is detected efficiently. This accuracy allows individuals and organizations in Greenfield, OK, to make informed decisions about drug use and policy adherence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Greenfield, OK
By utilizing hair follicle testing, employers can uphold drug-free workplace standards effectively. This testing method reduces legal liabilities and promotes a safer working environment. Adopting this comprehensive approach provides peace of mind, assuring compliance with relevant workplace safety regulations.

Drug Testing Near Greenfield, OK

Okarche, OK

Loyal, OK

Carleton, OK

Thomas, OK

Red Rock, OK

Hydro, OK

Eagle City, OK

Hinton, OK

Calumet, OK

Fay, OK

Hitchcock, OK

West Canadian, OK

Bridgeport, OK

Watonga, OK

Geary, OK

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews