Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hollis, OK

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands, by capturing biomarkers within their fibers as they grow, offer an extended history of substance use. Specifically, when hair is sourced closely from the scalp, it can reveal a detection period for alcohol and drugs of up to about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, with limited potential for tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch section encompassing nearly 200 hair strands (roughly comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) positioned nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification purposes. For analyses involving EtG, ancillary components, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. In situations where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. In this context, "head hair" pertains strictly to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory process for deriving a result from a drug test encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's procedures. This includes verifying proper sealing and transport of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any supplementary data not available via an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. While it’s an economical approach to eliminate drug use in the majority of specimens, any positive screening result necessitates further confirmation to be legally defensible. Samples that are presumptively positive in the Screening stage must undergo an additional confirmatory process.

For any sample presumed positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Drugs in hair are extracted at lower concentrations compared to other methods such as urine or oral fluid, presenting a unique challenge for hair drug screening.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques conduct the Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes. Presumptive positive samples undergo cleaning before the confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory cycle, from Accessioning to Confirmation, abides by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Reduced chances of tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, thus ensuring higher accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: Instead of just identifying recent drug use, it provides a comprehensive pattern of usage over time.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to detect recent use: A time frame of roughly 5-7 days is required before drugs become discernible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth rate can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hollis, OK

Hair follicle testing supersedes traditional urine testing, providing superior detection capabilities and reliability. It captures a more extended usage history, ensuring accurate assessment.

• Enhanced detection over an extended period.
• Minimizes risk of result manipulation, offering reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hollis, OK

The hair follicle testing method allows for the detection of drug usage over a longer span—up to 90 days—providing a detailed view of substance history.

• Comprehensive analysis of an individual's past drug use ensures informed evaluations.
• Essential for employer decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hollis, OK

Hair follicle tests greatly diminish the chance of sample tampering. This method assures dependable and unequivocal outcomes, fortifying trust in test results.

• Prevents sample adulteration efficiently.
• Reliable results grant assurance to both testers and employers.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hollis, OK

Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers offers unmatched convenience, providing swift and effortless access to testing facilities.

• Ease of access reduces logistical challenges for testers.
• Ensures hassle-free testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hollis, OK

The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure promotes privacy and user-friendliness.

• Efficient ordering and testing system.
• Maintains confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hollis, OK

We offer competitive pricing coupled with quick turnaround times, delivering great value and assurance for businesses of any size.

• Attractive pricing strategy ensures affordability.
• Fast processing and delivery of results enhance business efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hollis, OK

Hair follicle drug testing processes offer swift and precise outcomes. The procedure ensures high accuracy in identifying substance usage, setting the standard for drug testing methods.

• The rapidity of the results allows for timely decision-making.
• Accuracy in detection supports trust in the results provided.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hollis, OK

Hair follicle testing promotes adherence to workplace drug-free policies, aiding in legal risk reduction and fostering a secure work environment.

• Ensures adherence to company safety standards.
• Peace of mind for employers through trustworthy compliance mechanisms.

Drug Testing Near Hollis, OK

Martha, OK

Olustee, OK

Hester, OK

Mangum, OK

Creta, OK

West Jackson, OK

Eldorado, OK

Duke, OK

Reed, OK

Vinson, OK

McQueen, OK

Gould, OK

McKnight, OK

Harmon, 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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