Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lebanon, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method in identifying drug and alcohol usage. It offers a detailed historical account of substance intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of emerging hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to around a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil size) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the perfect specimen for evaluation and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10-panel, 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair lacks, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be substituted. Reference to head hair exclusively means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a lab's database. This covers verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial swift assessment for drug presence. Although Screening economically dismisses drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive is essential for legal proceedings. Samples preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If Screening suggests positivity, more hair is drawn from the primary specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than in other means (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The thorough lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests recognize drug intake for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a narrower detection period.
• Hardship to deceive: Tricking a hair drug test is notably challenging, bolstering result accuracy.
• Historical insights: It illustrates a pattern of drug consumption over time rather than immediate usage.

Limitations:

• No recent use detection: Drugs take about 5-7 days post-consumption to appear in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal differences in hair growth might influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lebanon, OK is grounded in superior detection accuracy
compared to traditional urine tests. The benefits of hair
testing include longer detection ranges and nearly impossible manipulation, demonstrating their reliability.

Extended Detection Window

The Extended Detection Window in Lebanon, OK with hair follicle testing is unparalleled, identifying drug
use up to 90 days post consumption. Employers gain a thorough understanding
of substance history, helping to maintain a vigilant workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Implementing a Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lebanon, OK, hair follicle tests significantly reduce sample adulteration risks, leading to trustworthy results. Simplifying complex compliance needs, these tests are a smart choice.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations including Lebanon, OK provide efficient, globally accessible
services. Comprehensive reach ensures that testing needs can be met
swiftly and with ease at local or remote sites alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The Simple, Confidential Process in Lebanon, OK allows worry-free ordering, sample submission, and
result acquisition. Privacy remains paramount, ensuring personal data is secure throughout the entirety
of the drug screening process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lebanon, OK offer exceptional value to
companies both large and small. Cost-effective structures ensure you optimize your budget while receiving prompt, dependable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lebanon, OK are guaranteed with hair follicle drug tests. Quick processing
times and precise identification make hair testing a standout choice for those needing
dependable substance screening.

Accurate
results ensure confidence in making informed decisions regarding substance
use detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lebanon, OK are achieved by utilizing hair
follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies and enhancing workplace safety. Reducing legal risks further cements this method's value.

Drug Testing Near Lebanon, OK

Dripping Springs, OK

Dickson, OK

Overbrook, OK

New Woodville, OK

Mannsville, OK

Marietta, OK

East Love, OK

South Marshall, OK

Kingston, OK

North Marshall, OK

Madill, OK

Oakland, OK

Antioch, OK

Marshall, OK

Powell, 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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