Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Herring, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This technique captures long-term evidence of such substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When hair is collected from near the scalp, it can reveal substance use covering up to a three-month period. The process of collecting hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length, comprising around 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to assess the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair indicate specifically scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning integrates a sample into the laboratory's operations. This step includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any pending data entries absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial, rapid examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to preclude drug usage in most samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation to hold legal stature. Samples deemed presumptive positive during Screening require subsequent verification.

Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, a further sample portion is extracted and processed for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than those found in alternatives like urine or oral fluids, thus making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure, spanning Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that offer a more limited detection period.
• Difficult to circumvent: Cheating in a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage patterns: It delivers insight into drug use patterns over time, beyond mere recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Detection in hair occurs roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically involve higher costs than other drug test modalities.
• Result variability: Attributes such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis in fact focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Herring, OK, hair follicle tests trump urine tests through superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing offers a longer detection window, revealing substance use that might otherwise go unnoticed in standard screenings.

Extended Detection Window

One major benefit of hair follicle testing in Herring, OK, is the extended detection window. This comprehensive screening method can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers with an extensive view of an individual's past substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Herring, OK, hair follicle tests stand out as a tamper-resistant method. This kind of testing greatly minimizes the risk of sample tampering, making it a trustworthy choice for obtaining unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Herring, OK residents benefit from convenient access to testing through our nationwide network of centers. This wide availability ensures that individuals can easily access the necessary testing services without hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting hair follicle tests in Herring, OK, involves a simple and confidential process. From ordering tests to obtaining results, users can rest assured that their privacy is protected, streamlining the overall experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Herring, OK, offers affordable pricing options and fast turnaround times. This provides excellent value and ensures peace of mind for businesses of all sizes, allowing them to focus on what truly matters.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Herring, OK, are lauded for providing swift and precise results. This method excels in identifying substance use due to its high degree of accuracy, ensuring that the data obtained is both reliable and detailed.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Herring, OK, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it helps ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces potential legal risks and promotes a safer working 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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