Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hastings, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluation has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged historical record of alcohol and other substances by trapping biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected close to the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for identifying alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) taken from near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is introduced into a laboratory’s system. This step involves verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid for legal proceedings. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample yields a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening presents the greatest methodology challenge.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection span.
• Difficult to tamper with: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data provision: It indicates a usage pattern over time, rather than solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapacity to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Even though called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hastings, OK, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are considerable. Hair testing offers superior accuracy in detecting substances, with a broader detection window. This method proves invaluable for employers and organizations.

While urine tests are effective for recent drug use, hair tests provide a more thorough analysis. The reliability and difficulty of tampering make hair tests the preferred choice for a long-term view of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Hastings, OK, hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period provides employers insight into an individual's substance use over time.

This long-term detection capability is crucial for employers seeking a thorough understanding of potential employees' habits. It ensures they have a clear picture of the individual's history, fostering better hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Hastings, OK is a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the risk of sample manipulation. This reliability is vital for obtaining unquestionable results.

The structured collection process further ensures the integrity of the sample, offering peace of mind to employers. By limiting the possibility of adulterated samples, hair tests offer an accurate and trustworthy solution.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Hastings, OK boasts convenient testing centers, part of a nationwide network offering streamlined access to testing services. This accessibility ensures a quick and hassle-free experience for all individuals.

With local centers available, residents can easily find nearby testing facilities, making the process smoother and less time-consuming. This helps in maintaining a proactive approach to substance use prevention.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hastings, OK, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are straightforward steps, designed to protect privacy.

This method addresses any privacy concerns, ensuring users feel secure and respected. A stress-free experience is paramount, promoting trust in the testing procedure and results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

The affordable pricing and fast turnaround times of hair follicle testing in Hastings, OK present excellent value for companies, regardless of size. Competitive pricing structures cater to various budget needs.

The swift processing of tests ensures timely results, offering employers rapid insights into their workforce. This combination of cost-effectiveness and efficiency supports decision-making processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Hastings, OK provides fast and reliable results. Utilizing advanced technology, these tests precisely identify substance use. The testing procedure is swift, allowing for timely results, which is crucial for decision-making processes.

The accuracy of hair tests surpasses traditional methods, offering consistent outcomes. This method's precision ensures that employers can make informed and confident decisions based on the gathered data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Hastings, OK, hair follicle testing ensures employer compliance with drug-free policies. This helps mitigate legal risks, promoting a safe and secure workplace environment.

Employers can have peace of mind, knowing that they are adhering to regulations, reducing the potential for incidents and fostering a supportive company culture.

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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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