Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hunter, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is highly regarded as a robust means to identify drug and alcohol usage. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, allowing for a long-term record of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide up to a three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of roughly 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond ten, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is broken down into four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system, verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as an initial assessment for the presence of abused drugs. It's a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, but positive screenings require confirmation to be upheld in legal settings. Presumptive positives from Screening mandate secondary confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. Drugs are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations than in other testing mediums (like urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples considered presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast with urine tests that have a shorter detection frame.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing accuracy.
• Records historical usage: It showcases a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hunter, OK, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering unique advantages. Its superior detection accuracy makes it a favored choice for employers. The extended detection window provides insights that urine tests simply cannot match.

• Longer detection periods mean past substance use is clearer.
• More reliable than standard urine tests in many situations.
• Defaults gains trust thanks to its precision and detail.

Extended Detection Window

In Hunter, OK, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window far beyond that of other tests. Drugs can be detected up to 90 days, offering comprehensive insight into a person’s substance use history.

This expansive window is crucial for employers seeking to understand patterns of behavior, providing a more accurate depiction of an individual's substance use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-proofing is a notable advantage of hair follicle testing in Hunter, OK. This method makes it difficult to alter samples, providing genuine and trustworthy results.

The testing process involves steps that ensure reduced manipulation, giving confidence to both employers and individuals that results are an accurate representation of drug use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our sprawling network of testing locations, including those in Hunter, OK, offers unparalleled convenience. These centers allow for swift and seamless access across the nation.

This reach means individuals and companies alike can utilize our services without hassle, ensuring easy access to premium testing facilities.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hunter, OK, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Submitting samples, receiving results, and ensuring privacy are prioritized.

• Simple steps ease the burden on users.
• Privacy is upheld throughout each phase.
• Efficient handling ensures users receive timely outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Hunter, OK, we offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle testing. This ensures companies of all sizes can afford high-quality testing.

Our streamlined operations lead to fast results, offering clients exceptional value while meeting their needs swiftly and efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hunter, OK, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast and reliable outcomes. Precision in detecting substance use is key, with an ability to quickly deliver clear results. This method outshines others, establishing trust in its accuracy and efficiency.

A major advantage is the speed of obtaining results. In a fast-paced world, having an efficient tool like hair testing brings peace of mind, ensuring users receive rapid and dependable conclusions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Hunter, OK, hair follicle testing ensures smooth compliance with drug-free workplace policies. The reliability of results minimizes legal concerns and enhances safety.

• Compliance reduces potential legal liabilities.
• Gives employers peace of mind regarding workplace integrity.
• Facilitates a safer, more productive 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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