Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hickory, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a chronological record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period extending up to about 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler's scale to measure the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" pertains to any other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. This phase checks if the sample was correctly sealed and transported, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary rapid check for commonly abused drugs. Though Screening efficiently rules out drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified to be valid legally. Any samples preliminarily flagged as positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging approach to conduct.

Positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation, as appropriate. The full laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thereby enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical perspective: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other drug testing options.
• Variable outcomes: Differences like hair color and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", such tests actually assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hickory, OK, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over urine tests. Superior Detection is a critical benefit, identifying substance use accurately over a significantly broader window. Unlike urine tests, the hair method minimizes chances of manipulation, making it a robust choice for clients prioritizing dependable results.
Hair tests deliver an unmatched level of reliability, crucial for settings requiring stringent substance use monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

One of the main advantages of hair follicle testing in Hickory, OK is the Extended Detection Window. This test can reveal drug use over a comprehensive period of up to 90 days, offering employers a thorough snapshot of an individual's substance history.
This extended detection capability provides a valuable assessment tool for employers, enhancing oversight of workplace safety and compliance with substance-free initiatives.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Hickory, OK are favored for their Tamper-Resistant Testing Method. These tests reduce risks associated with sample tampering, ensuring that results are reliable and unquestionable.
By utilizing a method nearly immune to adulteration, employers and legal authorities can trust this testing option for maintaining stringent standards of accuracy and dependability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide and local availability in Hickory, OK, the Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations ensure easy access to services. Accredited Drug Testing's widespread presence allows for quick, hassle-free testing experiences.
Users find our services accommodating, with convenient locations ready to serve the testing needs of both individuals and organizations effortlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Hickory, OK is Simple and Confidential. Starting from order placement to result retrieval, the procedure ensures privacy and ease of use.
This streamlined approach addresses privacy concerns, providing clients reassurance that their information is secure while delivering a straightforward testing experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Hickory, OK offers Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround for hair follicle tests. Our competitive pricing structures provide excellent value, making reliable testing accessible for companies of all sizes.
With rapid processing times, clients benefit from swift results, maximizing peace of mind with efficient testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Hickory, OK offer accurate detection of substance use. This method surpasses traditional tests with its ability to efficiently identify drug consumption patterns. Hair testing's efficiency provides users results they can trust.
With hair follicle tests, not only is the detection refined, but results are produced quickly, enhancing reliability for any organization or individual.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Hickory, OK provides Compliance and Peace of Mind for employers committed to a drug-free workplace. This testing supports adherence to policy, reducing potential legal liabilities and enhancing safety.
Employers benefit from peace of mind, knowing that using a robust testing method safeguards their organizational integrity and promotes a safe 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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