Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Herd, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When clipped near to the scalp, hair can reveal about a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising around 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair alone. Body hair applies to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases involved in the lab processing of a drug testing result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial treatment of a sample within a lab's framework. This includes confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishing any supplementary data entry not offered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use on most samples, a positive screen has to be validated to be permissible in legal situations. Any samples that are presumably positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a much lesser concentration compared to other methodologies (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the hardest methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug examinations can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which possess a briefer detection timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: It is notably difficult to cheat a hair drug test, leading to more accurate outcomes.
• Supplies historical data: It can present a pattern of drug use over a period, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the testing process examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Herd, OK

The advantages of hair analysis over traditional urine tests include superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Hair testing captures a wider window of substance use, offering insights into long-term consumption patterns that urine tests might miss. Their ability to detect drug usage over months rather than days ensures a more comprehensive overview.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Herd, OK

Hair follicle drug testing is recognized for its extended detection window of up to 90 days.
This feature allows employers to gain a broader perspective on an individual's history of substance use, as it accounts for prolonged drug usage rather than recent activity, enhancing hiring and monitoring processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Herd, OK

The integrity of hair follicle testing is unmatched due to its tamper-resistant qualities.
This method ensures that samples reflect genuine drug use, minimizing the risk of adulteration and manipulation that some methods are vulnerable to, thus delivering dependable, indisputable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Herd, OK

Our vast network of testing centers across the nation, including Herd, OK, ensures accessible drug testing services.
The convenience and simplicity of these sites allow for a quick, straightforward testing experience, accommodating individuals' and businesses' diverse needs in a hassle-free manner.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Herd, OK

The process of scheduling and completing a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and confidential.
From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease, addressing users' concerns and ensuring a smooth experience free of complications.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Herd, OK

Our competitive pricing structures, coupled with quick turnaround times, offer unparalleled value to businesses.
We ensure that organizations, regardless of size, can benefit from cost-effective hair follicle testing services without compromising on speed or accuracy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Herd, OK

When it comes to drug testing, the precision and speed of hair follicle analyses stand out.
These tests are known for effectively identifying substance usage with high degrees of accuracy. Incorporating advanced technology, hair testing quickly and reliably provides results, making it a trusted choice for both individuals and organizations seeking certainty in their screenings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Herd, OK

Employers opting for hair follicle testing boost adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
By reducing legal liabilities and enhancing safety measures, this testing method offers peace of mind, reassuring employers of a proficient strategy to maintain a secure, productive environment.

Drug Testing Near Herd, OK

Shidler, OK

Grainola, OK

Oglesby, OK

Wynona, OK

Wann, OK

Ochelata, OK

Barnsdall, OK

Foraker, OK

Nelagoney, OK

Osage, OK

Pawhuska, OK

Copan, OK

Bartlesville, OK

Hulah, OK

Bowring, 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.

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