Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lyons Switch, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair acts as a record keeper of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use within an approximate 3-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch sample that includes about 200 strands of hair (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10 panel tests, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a similar amount of body hair is an alternative. When mentioning head hair, we strictly refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and resolves any data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial evaluation for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be allowable in legal settings. Samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lesser concentrations compared to other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging test type.

Confirmation of any positive results from screening involves the use of GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. If required, all presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which provide a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, enhancing accuracy.
• Provides historical data: Offers a timeline of drug usage, not limited to recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug testing tends to be more expensive compared to other testing approaches.
• Variations in results: Hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Lyons Switch, OK, with its superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis presents a clearer picture of substance history. Benefits of hair testing include:

• Longer window of detection up to 90 days
• Higher accuracy and reliability of results
• Reduced chances of tampering or error

Extended Detection Window

In Lyons Switch, OK, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capable of revealing drug usage over a span of up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe provides employers a comprehensive view of an individual's past substance interactions. The method ensures thorough background assessments that simple urine tests cannot offer.

• More informative than other testing methods
• Helps in making informed hiring decisions
• Facilitates ongoing employee monitoring

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Lyons Switch, OK, provide a robust defense against tampering, ensuring that results remain untainted. The secure nature of sample collection diminishes the risk of adulteration frequently seen in urine tests. This secure methodology upholds the integrity of the testing process.

• Samples are obtained under controlled conditions.
• Chances of cheating or substitution are minimized.
• Verification is straightforward and dependable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accredited Drug Testing, accessing drug tests is convenient in Lyons Switch, OK. Our nationwide network includes local centers that provide swift and uncomplicated access to the services you need. A wide-reaching presence ensures minimal disruption to personal or work schedules.

• Extensive locations nationwide.
• Friendly and efficient service at every site.
• Quick scheduling and appointment process.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing procedure in Lyons Switch, OK, is intentionally simple and discreet. Accredited Drug Testing facilitates easy ordering, testing, and results delivery, emphasizing confidentiality at every step. Your privacy is prioritized throughout the entire process, ensuring peace of mind.

• Online or phone ordering available.
• Sample collection in a non-invasive, private setting.
• Direct and secure delivery of results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing provides cost-effective solutions with rapid turnaround in Lyons Switch, OK. Our approach balances affordability with efficiency, proving the best value for businesses of any size. Quick and economic testing ensures organizations maintain drug-free standards without stress.

• Competitive rates meet any budget.
• Fast processing and results dissemination.
• Stress-free management of testing schedules.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Lyons Switch, OK, provide fast and precise results. The technology behind hair testing is adept at identifying substance use with unmatched accuracy. Advanced detection methods ensure that even minimal amounts of drugs are exposed, making it a top choice for employers and individuals alike.

• State-of-the-art equipment is used to examine samples.
• Quick turnaround time ensures timely decisions.
• Reliability of results promotes trust in testing processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Lyons Switch, OK, hair follicle testing fosters compliance and peace of mind. Implementing hair testing for drugs supports adherence to drug-free workplace initiatives, minimizing legal liabilities. Workplace safety and wellbeing are elevated through reliable testing protocols.

• Ensures strict enforcement of company policies.
• Boosts confidence among stakeholders.
• Encourages a healthier work 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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