Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Noble, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent means to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the structure of the hair strand. Collected close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for drugs and alcohol. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG enhancements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. In discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for traces of drugs. Although Screening effectively rules out drug usage for most samples at a reasonable cost, a positive screen must be confirmed to be accepted in legal contexts. Any samples testing positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample screens positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under 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 can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection timeframe.
• Difficult to manipulate: Altering the outcome of a hair drug test is quite challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals patterns of drug usage over time, rather than merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapacity to detect recent drug use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-ingestion.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair strand, not the hair follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When compared to standard urine testing, hair follicle testing in Noble, OK, excels in its ability to detect a wider range of substances with greater accuracy. Hair tests can reveal substance use over longer periods, providing a reliable understanding of an individual's history.

Hair tests are less prone to sample tampering, ensuring results that are trustworthy. Traditional urine tests, while still useful, do not offer the same extended detection period nor the same degree of accuracy in results.

Extended Detection Window

One of the significant benefits of hair follicle testing in Noble, OK, is its extended detection window. This method can track drug use over a 90-day period, offering a broader view of a person's substance use history, unlike other testing methods limited to shorter durations.

This long-term detection capability allows employers and institutions to better assess patterns of use. The extended window is invaluable for those seeking to maintain a substance-free environment across longer spans of time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Noble, OK, is known for its high resistance to tampering. The process minimizes the risk of adulteration, providing results that are reliable and unquestionable. This factor is crucial for employers and institutions looking for authentic data.

Unlike other testing methods, hair tests cannot easily be manipulated, ensuring a secure process from sample collection to analysis. This attribute makes it a preferred choice when accuracy and integrity are paramount.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our expansive network of testing centers, both nationwide and locally in Noble, OK, access to hair follicle drug testing is both quick and convenient. Our services are designed to provide hassle-free experiences for all users.

The convenience of widespread locations ensures you are never far from trusted testing services. This widespread reach affords ease of access and efficiency, critical for timely needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Noble, OK, offers a simple and confidential process. From ordering the test to receiving the results, the entire procedure is designed to maintain privacy and ease of use for all participants.

The confidential nature of our testing services reassures those who wish for discretion. Our process ensures clarity without any unnecessary complications, ensuring a seamless experience for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Noble, OK, is not only accurate and fast but also comes with competitive pricing. We strive to provide cost-effective solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes, without compromising quality.

The quick turnaround times further enhance the value offered, granting peace of mind knowing results are dependable and economically accessible.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Noble, OK stands out for its speed and precision. This method ensures fast and accurate results, making it an ideal choice for those requiring quick feedback on substance use. Its reliability in capturing substance history is unparalleled compared to traditional methods.

The process is tailored for those who cannot afford delays. The level of accuracy and the swift turnaround time provide peace of mind in pressing situations. By adopting hair follicle testing, one benefits from its efficient and highly precise outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Noble, OK, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. Employers benefit from reducing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment, thanks to the assured accuracy of hair testing results.

Adopting this method contributes to peace of mind by adhering to high standards of safety and policy enforcement. Employers are assured that they are making informed decisions based on reliable data.

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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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