Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hillsdale, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by incorporating biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (roughly matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test result in a lab involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is introduced into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry that isn’t part of an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug consumption in most samples, a positive result necessitates verification to be permissible in court. Any samples yielding a tentative positive result in Screening must undergo further validation.

If a Screening stage result is tentatively positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the challenging nature of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives are cleansed as required before confirmation. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter look-back period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Reveals usage patterns: It provides a timeline of drug intake over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent intake: Drugs typically take about 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing is Superior to Urine Testing in Hillsdale, OK

• Hair tests offer longer detection, up to 90 days, versus days with urine tests.
• More resistant to tampering, enhancing test result integrity.
• Use of observed sample collection enhances reliability and accuracy.
• Provides employers with a comprehensive overview of an employee or candidate's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Broad Detection Window in Hillsdale, OK

• Hair testing identifies drug use up to 90 days past, offering a historical view.
• Provides employers with a complete insight into an individual's substance usage over time.
• Ideal for organizations aiming for a holistic approach to maintaining a drug-free workplace.
• Enables detailed evaluation of employee or candidate's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Approach in Hillsdale, OK

• Hair follicle tests significantly decrease the likelihood of sample manipulation.
• Observed collection process ensures authentic and dependable results.
• Secure method deters attempts at adulteration, maintaining test credibility.
• Assures employers of the test’s unquestionable integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Centers Nationwide and Locally in Hillsdale, OK

• Our widespread network allows easy access to testing facilities nationwide.
• Convenient locations ensure hassle-free testing processes for individuals and employers.
• Local centers in Hillsdale provide quick service without compromising on quality.
• Minimizes travel for test-takers, optimizing accessibility and ease.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Private Process in Hillsdale, OK

• Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward and confidential.
• We ensure test privacy, addressing participant concerns about discretion.
• Seamless process enhances user comfort and convenience in testing.
• Our services maintain privacy without neglecting the accuracy of results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Swift Processing in Hillsdale, OK

• Our pricing structure offers great value, suitable for businesses of all scales.
• Prompt turnaround times further enhance the efficiency of our services.
• Cost-effective approach provides companies confidence in returns on investment.
• A combination of affordability and speed sets us apart from competitors.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Precise, and Credible Outcomes in Hillsdale, OK

• Hair follicle drug testing delivers high precision in identifying substance use.
• This method provides speedy and reliable results, ensuring swift decision-making.
• With its acute accuracy, it effectively highlights substance use across a broad spectrum.
• This accuracy is pivotal for workplaces needing assured drug-free environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Hillsdale, OK

• Ensures adherence to company drug-free policies, mitigating legal issues.
• Hair testing reinforces workplace safety measures, nurturing a safer work environment.
• Reduces risks associated with employee substance abuse, ensuring peace of mind for employers.
• Efficient compliance tool for enterprises aiming at comprehensive safety protocols.

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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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