Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Loco, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a long-term record of these substances by holding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection range for both alcohol and narcotics. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (around a #2 pencil's width) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, it's recommended to gather 150mg. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. Should scalp hair be absent, equivalent body hair can be collected. References to head hair refer solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (like facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The main phases in processing a test result in a lab encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase for integrating a sample into a lab's protocols. This stage ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any data entry not already captured by an electronic custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical solution to dismiss drug use in most cases, a positive outcome must be confirmed to hold up in legal settings. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should the sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is removed from the initial collection for Extraction. Here, substances are separated from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of a positive screen result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples indicating positive undergo cleansing prior to verification if required. The lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation operates under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, thereby increasing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals consumption patterns over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments tend to cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by hair color and personal growth rates.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Loco, OK, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in terms of detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter window. This extended detection period grants employers with zero-tolerance policies a clearer insight into long-term drug use.

Moreover, the possibility of tampering is significantly lower, elevating reliability and security, thus providing more trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing in Loco, OK provides an extended window of detection, reaching up to 90 days. This feature allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an employee's drug use over time, surpassing other test types that only cover shorter periods.

Employers benefit from this long-term detection, ensuring a thorough evaluation of an applicant or employee's drug history, which can be vital in maintaining safety and compliance in the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Method: The hair follicle drug test in Loco, OK is distinguished by its tamper-resistant nature. By minimizing the likelihood of sample adulteration, these tests ensure the integrity and reliability of results. This security makes hair follicle testing an invaluable tool for organizations seeking authentic and accurate drug testing outcomes.

Employers can rely on this rigorous method to guarantee the credibility of their drug testing programs, avoiding manipulation and adding an extra layer of security.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations: Accredited Drug Testing offers the convenience of nationwide centers, including local facilities in Loco, OK. Whether you are a resident or need a test while traveling, you can easily access testing services with minimal effort. Our widespread locations ensure a hassle-free experience for all clients.

This broad network guarantees accessibility, providing quick and straightforward access to essential drug testing services in communities across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process: In Loco, OK, the hair follicle drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and discreet. From ordering your test to receiving results, the process is seamless and respects client confidentiality. Test takers can have confidence in the privacy and ease of the procedure.

Our commitment to simplicity and confidentiality addresses client concerns, ensuring a stress-free experience and safeguarding individual privacy throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Accredited Drug Testing in Loco, OK offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests. This balance of affordability and speed provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Employers can manage costs effectively while benefiting from reliable results swiftly.

Our pricing structures cater to various needs without compromising on quality, ensuring a cost-effective solution for maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Loco, OK offer fast and highly accurate detection of substance use. These tests are renowned for their precision, providing clear insights into an individual's drug history. With their high accuracy, they surpass traditional testing methods, ensuring reliable results.

Employers in Loco can depend on hair tests for their swift processing times. The combination of speed and precision enhances decision-making for workplaces to maintain safe environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind: Hair follicle testing in Loco, OK plays an essential role in guaranteeing workplace compliance with drug-free policies. By choosing this testing method, companies reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety, fostering a secure environment.

Employers experience peace of mind, knowing they are aligned with regulatory standards and can manage potential risks effectively, resulting in a safer and more compliant workplace.

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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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