Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hitchita, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers in the growing hair strand fibers. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers up to an approximately 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair sample collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in the laboratory processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This encompasses confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any pending data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive result in screening requires confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive in the Screening phase, 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), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.

Any positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process from 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:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely tough, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Records historical data: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Cost factor: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal discrepancies in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outshines urine tests in many aspects. The accuracy of hair tests in detecting drug use is superior, offering a more comprehensive overview of an individual's substance habits over time. In Hitchita, OK, this method provides reliability and more precise detection than traditional urine tests.

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, it's clear that hair testing offers notable benefits. With enhanced detection capabilities and reliability, hair tests are a preferred choice for those seeking meticulous screening in Hitchita.

Extended Detection Window

In Hitchita, OK, hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use over a span of up to 90 days, these tests offer employers a detailed record of an individual’s substance usage. This long detection period gives a fuller picture than other methods.

The comprehensive view provided by hair follicle testing, with its 90-day detection window, is invaluable for employers in Hitchita. It presents a detailed summary of past drug or alcohol intake, assisting in making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are a highly tamper-resistant method available in Hitchita, OK. The meticulously designed process reduces the likelihood of sample manipulation, ensuring results remain reliable and unassailable. This feature provides confidence in the testing accuracy.

In Hitchita, hair follicle testing offers a robust defense against sample adulteration. Its tamper-resistant nature ensures that results are trustworthy, making it a preferred choice for individuals and organizations seeking credible outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access with our extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including in Hitchita, OK. This ensures quick and easy access to drug testing services, allowing for hassle-free and timely execution of testing needs.

With numerous local and nationwide facilities, gaining access to testing in Hitchita is seamless. Our comprehensive network guarantees that individuals and organizations can fulfill their testing requirements efficiently and without stress.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process is both simple and confidential in Hitchita, OK. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is crafted to ensure privacy and ease of use, minimizing concerns and upholding discretion.

In Hitchita, our straightforward and confidential approach to drug testing ensures that the process is smooth and private. This emphasizes our commitment to providing a hassle-free and discreet experience for everyone involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Hitchita, OK, our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times highlight our commitment to affordability and value. We cater to companies of all sizes, offering excellent cost structures while ensuring rapid delivery of results.

Accredited Drug Testing offers economical options in Hitchita, ensuring businesses receive top-tier services at fair prices. Combined with prompt results, our structure supports companies seeking budget-friendly and efficient solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hitchita, OK, the precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests stand out. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy in substance detection, ensuring dependability for individuals and organizations. Their capability to swiftly and precisely identify drug use highlights their reliability, making hair follicle testing an advantageous choice.

Hair follicle drug tests deliver results that are fast and trustworthy. The design of these tests allows them to detect substance use with remarkable accuracy, ensuring that the outcomes can be relied upon by those in Hitchita who require them.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Hitchita, OK employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By providing a rigorous testing method, it helps minimize legal risks and fosters a safer work environment, bringing peace of mind to company leaders and HR professionals.

Employers in Hitchita benefit from the security that hair follicle testing offers. Aligning with workplace policies, it reduces the risks associated with non-compliance and contributes to maintaining a secure and dependable workplace.

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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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