Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lamar, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use by preserving markers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair offers nearly a three-month window for detecting drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands of hair (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp comprises 100mg, which is the prime sample amount for screenings and confirmations. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It’s recommended to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for a drug test includes four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory's system. This phase involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary and swift examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal validity. Presumptive positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample is found presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and utilized for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

To confirm positive screening outcomes, the process employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter duration.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is considerably challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers usage trends: It provides drug usage patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Diverse results: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Lamar, OK, the advantages of hair testing become evident. Hair tests are notably more accurate and reliable, with a longer detection window than conventional urine tests. With hair testing, it’s easier to get a consistent, conclusive picture of substance use, crucial for situations where substance use detection accuracy is key.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lamar, OK, offers an extended detection period, up to 90 days. This longer detection window allows employers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history. Such extensive insight is vital for making informed employment decisions, setting hair testing apart from shorter-term testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lamar, OK, hair follicle tests are an excellent choice for reducing the chance of sample adulteration. Due to their nature, hair tests are nearly impossible to tamper with. This ensures that the results are reliable and authentic, providing a trustworthy testing option for those who require unquestionable test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing boasts convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Lamar, OK. This extensive network ensures quick, hassle-free access to drug testing services, offering clients ease and accessibility wherever they may be. The seamless availability of our services stands as a testament to our commitment to convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Lamar, OK, for hair follicle testing is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From placing an order to obtaining results, every step is streamlined to protect privacy. Ease of use, combined with secure processes, ensures clients receive their results confidentially and without stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lamar, OK, we pride ourselves on delivering hair follicle drug tests with competitive pricing and rapid result times. Businesses of various sizes can benefit from our affordable rates, paired with a swift turnaround. This provides significant value and alleviates concerns related to high costs or prolonged waiting periods.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lamar, OK, we provide hair follicle tests renowned for their speed, accuracy, and reliability. These tests deliver precise results by capturing a detailed timeline of an individual's substance use. The quick processing times augment the high accuracy, offering dependable insights quickly. This makes them an indispensable tool for employers in need of fast and reliable drug test results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Lamar, OK, the implementation of hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This not only reduces potential legal liabilities but also enhances overall workplace safety. With unwavering accurate results, employers can maintain peace of mind while ensuring regulatory compliance.

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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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