Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Moyers, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the hair strands' fibers as they grow, hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, hair is relatively resistant to tampering, and shipping is easy.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If no scalp hair is present, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. Head hair specifies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other forms (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a laboratory’s system. This comprises ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial, prompt assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs subsequent verification for court validity. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a concentration much lower compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed when necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests pinpoint drug use spanning up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: Due to the difficulty of cheating a hair drug test, the results tend to be more precise.
• Displays usage trends: It outlines drug use patterns over a timeframe, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become perceptible in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result discrepancies: Aspects like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand, rather than the hair follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Moyers, OK, hair testing offers distinct advantages. It carries superior detection accuracy, deeply analyzing each sample to avoid false outcomes. Hair tests are also more reliable, offering a comprehensive assessment that's harder to beat.

Hair testing delivers unmatched reliability due to its longer detection period and difficulty in manipulation, unlike urine tests which are easier to adulterate. This makes hair testing a preferred choice for comprehensive and accurate drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Moyers, OK, is a key advantage over other methods. While traditional tests detect recent drug use, hair tests provide insights into an individual's substance use history spanning up to 90 days.

Employers benefit greatly from this extended window, obtaining a more comprehensive view of their staff's substance habits. This coverage allows for more informed decision-making regarding hiring processes or employee assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Moyers, OK, offers a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike other testing methods, altering a hair sample to hide substance use proves to be highly challenging.

This resistance to tampering ensures that results remain trustworthy and uncontested, giving employers and authorities confidence in the validity of the drug screening outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Moyers, OK residents have access to convenient nationwide testing locations offered by Accredited Drug Testing. Our network ensures that no matter where you are, accessing drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free.

By providing both local and national testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process for employers and individuals, ensuring prompt and easy service access.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Moyers, OK, is simple and confidential. From ordering to test administration and results reception, it is designed to maintain user privacy and ease of use.

Test takers can rest assured that their personal information and results remain protected throughout the process, fostering trust and facilitating smoother experiences.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Moyers, OK, is known for its affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. The competitive pricing structure makes high-quality drug testing accessible to companies of all sizes.

Employers experience the benefit of cost-effective testing without compromising on quality or speed, ensuring maximum value and convenience with quick result delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Moyers, OK, hair follicle drug testing surpasses in delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The method's high precision ensures that true substance use is identified, reducing false positives. This testing speed and accuracy help individuals get results quickly, making it ideal for both employers and individuals.

Hair tests are noted for their excellent detection accuracy, identifying substance use with precision analysis techniques. This high reliability makes them a popular choice in situations where confirming substance abuse quickly is critical.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Moyers, OK, gain peace of mind and compliance assurance with hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace zero-drug policies, reducing legal risks and supporting a safe working environment.

Maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies helps protect companies from potential liabilities while promoting a culture of safety and responsibility among employees.

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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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