Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mcloud, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant means for detecting drugs and alcohol. The fibers in growing hair strands entrap biomarkers, providing a prolonged history of alcohol and drug consumption. When sourced near the scalp, it offers a detection window for alcohol and drugs extending to roughly 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, about 200 strands in size (equivalent to a #2 pencil), and close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is advisable. Should scalp hair be insufficient, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, samples are initially entered into the lab system, ensuring they are properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any missing data not accessible through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs a swift initial examination for substance abuse. Although Screening is an affordable method to exclude drug usage in the majority of cases, court acceptance necessitates confirming a positive screen. Samples flagged as tentatively positive will require follow-up confirmation.

When a sample is tentatively positive during Screening, a portion of hair is extracted anew from the initial sample for Extraction. This process retrieves drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair testing as the most intricate methodology.

Using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS, Confirmation verifies all positive screening outcomes. Prior to confirmation, any tentatively positive samples are washed when necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is monitored under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can reveal drug usage up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter timeframe of urine tests.
• Challenging to falsify: The difficulty in deceiving a hair drug test enhances accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It illustrates a drug use pattern over time rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become apparent in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," these tests actually evaluate the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in McLoud, OK, outshines traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy. Longer detection windows allow for a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history.

Compared to urine tests, hair tests exhibit better reliability, capturing evidence of drug use over an extended period, making them a preferred choice for many organizations.

Extended Detection Window

In McLoud, OK, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This time frame is valuable for employers seeking an in-depth look into an individual's drug use history.

The ability to detect substances over a longer period ensures that employers have a complete and accurate view of the applicant or employee's substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

McLoud, OK's hair follicle tests boast a tamper-resistant approach, reducing the likelihood of sample manipulation. This method provides employers with credible and trustworthy results.

Due to the difficulty in adulterating hair samples, hair testing is a reliable choice for obtaining accurate drug use assessments, minimizing the risk of cheating.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In McLoud, OK, and beyond, our widespread testing locations provide convenient access to drug testing services. Nationwide centers ensure a smooth and hassle-free testing experience.

The availability of multiple testing sites allows for quick and easy scheduling, making the process user-friendly for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In McLoud, OK, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy concerns are addressed to ensure customer comfort.

This streamlined procedure is designed with user convenience in mind, making it accessible and straightforward for individuals seeking testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in McLoud, OK, offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, delivering excellent value for businesses seeking drug testing solutions.

The competitive pricing, combined with efficient processing, ensures that companies of all sizes can enjoy high-quality testing without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In McLoud, OK, hair follicle drug tests offer fast and accurate results. This method ensures high precision in identifying recent drug use, providing reliable data for decision-making.

The efficiency of hair follicle testing is evident in its ability to deliver results swiftly without compromising accuracy. This swiftness benefits employers who require timely insights into substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in McLoud, OK, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies and enhances safety standards.

Utilizing hair follicle tests reduces legal risks, ensuring adherence to company regulations and providing a secure working 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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