Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hanna, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective approach in identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-duration evidence of substances by retaining biomarkers within its strands. When clipped near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use over approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil thickness) nearest the scalp offers 100mg, an optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to gauge the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair might be obtained. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" pertains to all other varieties (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in processing laboratory drug test outcomes encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially entering the sample into a lab’s records. This includes ensuring proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. Screening serves as a cost-effective means to exclude substance use in most samples, but a positive outcome requires validation for legal proceedings. All samples presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original collection and made ready for Extraction. During this phase, substances are isolated from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug analysis the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirming any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with positive presumptions undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug exams can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection span.
• Difficult to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage data: It offers insight into drug consumption patterns over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hanna, OK Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests through superior detection accuracy and reliability, offering extensive advantages in substance detection.

• Enhanced detection periods allow for comprehensive drug use analysis.
• Reduction in false negatives increases test credibility.

Choosing hair testing ensures a robust approach against the limitations of urine tests, enhancing substance detection strategy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hanna, OK Hair follicle testing excels with its ability to reveal drug use over a prolonged timeframe—up to 90 days—providing employers with a thorough insight into an employee's or candidate's substance record.

• The extended window offers a fuller view of historical drug usage.
• This approach supports informed decision-making processes.

Employers benefit from the expanded timeframe, gaining more detailed substance use profiles.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hanna, OK Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the chance of adulterated samples, leading to results that are both reliable and indisputable.

• Hair tests are less susceptible to tampering, ensuring authenticity.
• The testing process provides secure and trustworthy outcomes.

This robust testing method enhances the accuracy and integrity of the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hanna, OK Access to our many national testing facilities provides convenient, expedient, and stress-free access to essential testing services.

• Numerous locations offer flexibility and ease of testing.
• Quick and efficient service processing is delivered consistently.

Experience the advantage of accessible testing anywhere you need it.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hanna, OK The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from tests is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing concerns over privacy and usability.

• The process is designed with user-friendliness in mind.
• Privacy is a top priority assuring confidence in confidentiality.

Our approach guarantees simplicity and discretion in all testing phases.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hanna, OK Our competitive pricing models and swift processing times provide excellent value and peace of mind for businesses of every scale.

• Affordable options cater to various budgetary needs.
• Quick result delivery enhances planning and response times.

Benefit from economical pricing and prompt results enhancing company efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hanna, OK Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and swiftness, showcasing exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use, thereby setting a new standard in drug testing technology.

• The rapidity of results ensures timely information for decision-making.
• The high level of accuracy provides confidence in the data obtained.

By prioritizing hair testing, you benefit from a method that merges speed with precision, delivering dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hanna, OK Utilizing hair follicle tests helps ensure adherence to workplace drug-free standards, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment.

• Testing supports maintaining a compliant, drug-free workplace.
• Reduces potential liabilities associated with drug use in the workplace.

Employers experience peace of mind through consistent and reliable testing practice adherence.

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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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