Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kiefer, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has garnered recognition as an effective means for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect hair samples, they are less prone to tampering, and can be conveniently shipped.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal volume for screening and verification. For EtG, enhancements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In instances where scalp hair is not present, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The primary stages involved in processing a drug test outcome in a laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing phase where a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary swift assessment for drug presence. While it effectively excludes drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening extremely challenging.

Positive screening results are corroborated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards for accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug consumption for a period reaching up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Chronological usage data: It offers insights into drug use patterns over an extended timeframe, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lack of recent usage detection: It typically takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable within hair.
• Cost implications: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually evaluate the hair strand, not the follicle residing beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Kiefer, OK, the decision to use hair follicle testing over urine testing is clear. Hair tests surpass urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy. While urine tests may only highlight recent drug use, hair tests provide a broader detection window, capturing a history of substance use with more reliability and less chance of deception.

Extended Detection Window

In Kiefer, OK, hair follicle tests offer a detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing other testing methods. This extended period allows employers to gain a detailed understanding of an individual's drug use history, offering insights that are essential for informed decision-making in the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests makes them invaluable in Kiefer, OK. By greatly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests deliver results that are both reliable and trustworthy. This integrity is crucial for maintaining the credibility of drug testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with our nationwide testing centers and local options in Kiefer, OK. Quick and hassle-free, our testing services ensure easy access to hair follicle drug tests, providing clients with the flexibility they need without the inconvenience of extensive travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple and confidential process in Kiefer, OK. Our test ordering, taking, and results delivery are streamlined to ensure ease of use and maintain privacy. Clients can trust that their personal information remains confidential throughout the entire procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Kiefer, OK, we offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround for our services. Our cost-effective structures ensure that businesses of all sizes receive excellent value. Fast processing and delivery times allow companies to maintain peace of mind without compromising their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Kiefer, OK, are unmatched. With high accuracy in detecting substance use, these tests ensure quick, reliable results. The advanced methodology provides precision that traditional drug tests often lack, making it an ideal choice for fast and certain outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Kiefer, OK, using hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces legal liabilities but also enhances safety, providing peace of mind and ensuring a secure and productive work environment for all employees.

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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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