Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Alfalfa, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now esteemed as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides an extended history of alcohol and drug intake by encasing biomarkers within the strands of hair. When procured near the scalp, hair delivers an approximately 3-month span for detecting alcohol and drugs. Its collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent body hair sample may be used. Reference to head hair specifically means scalp hair, while body hair signifies any other type (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The critical stages in processing a drug test in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system, confirming it was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial, brisk evaluation for drugs. This cost-efficient approach eliminates drug usage for most samples, but a positive screening must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that screen positive presumptively require secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted for the Extraction process. In this stage, drug extraction from hair occurs at lower concentrations than alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of a positive screening is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug assessments trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: It is very challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate results.
• Reveals historical patterns: It demonstrates a use pattern over time, not limited to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are often costlier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables like hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed as “hair follicle tests,” the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The hair follicle test eclipses urine tests in North Alfalfa, OK, due to its superior detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair samples identify drug use over a prolonged period, making it a preferred choice for employers and professionals concerned about substance use. Its accuracy and immunity to tampering offer unmatched reliability.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in North Alfalfa, OK, provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use. This extended period allows a thorough assessment of an applicant or employee's potential history, surpassing the usual urine test limitations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in North Alfalfa, OK, is notably tamper-resistant. This method significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring the results are both reliable and unquestionable. It is a robust solution for ensuring the integrity of drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including those in North Alfalfa, OK. This ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services. Local and national locations simplify the process for both employers and individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing conducted in North Alfalfa, OK, is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving the results, every step is designed to be private and user-friendly, addressing concerns about privacy and ease of use effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in North Alfalfa, OK, our hair follicle testing provides excellent value for companies of all sizes. These services ensure budget-friendly and timely solutions, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug testing in North Alfalfa, OK, ensures fast and accurate results. With a high precision level, these tests provide reliable insights into substance usage, giving a clearer picture than traditional methods. This testing offers results that not only demonstrate accuracy but also ensure consistency across multiple samples.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in North Alfalfa, OK, benefit from using hair follicle testing as it aids in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks while promoting workplace safety, bringing peace of mind to organizations in their occupational health endeavors.

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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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