Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Tulsa, OK

What it is, How it works

Analyzing hair has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record keeper of drugs and alcohol by embedding markers within the hair strand as it develops. When cut next to the scalp, hair can deliver a detection timeline of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler's scale for sample weighing is recommended. If head hair is absent, a similar mass of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically indicate scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial hair, underarm hair, etc.).

Process Summary

The drug test result analysis in a lab entails four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is logged into a lab's system. This step checks the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary test looking for illicit drugs. Although Screening efficiently rules out drug use for most samples, a verified positive result is essential for courtroom admissibility. Any samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. This phase extracts drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, illustrating why hair drug screening is the most challenging procedure to perform.

Confirmation for any screening positives employs techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positives undergo washing as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is supervised under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Tracks historical use data: It reveals drug use patterns over time, not just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Detecting drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to have a higher cost compared to other test methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and growth differences among individuals can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Excels: In North Tulsa, OK, companies find hair follicle tests superior to urine tests. The primary advantage is a wider detection window, capturing drug use over several months rather than a brief period. It adds layers of credibility to the screening process, reducing the likelihood of evasion, and assuring companies of the applicant or employee's honest history.

The accuracy of hair testing exceeds that of traditional methods, providing fewer false positives. This reliability strengthens the foundation of drug policies in workplaces that strictly enforce zero-tolerance rules. Courts and probation officers also benefit from the thorough timelines hair tests disclose, reinforcing their role in legal and corrective measures.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Insight: One remarkable aspect of hair follicle testing is the elongated detection period, extending up to 90 days. This grants employers in North Tulsa, OK, an exceptional vantage point in assessing a candidate's or employee's history of substance use. This expanded window allows for a more thorough understanding of past behavior, crucial for maintaining a substance-free workplace.

By covering a longer duration, hair tests provide a richer context than methods with shorter spans. Employers better grasp patterns of behavior, aiding in more informed decision-making. They cultivate a deeper awareness of consistency in an individual's lifestyle choices, buffering operations from unexpected risks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Dependable Results: In North Tulsa, OK, one of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing is the significant reduction in the possibility of tampering. The method is inherently tamper-resistant due to the nature of hair samples, which cannot be stripped or altered like other specimens. This creates assured reliability in the results for those who depend on unambiguous data.

With hair testing, adulteration and sample substitution present genuine challenges to avoid, essentially rendering those attempting to deceive ineffective. Employers can confidently trust the integrity of the tests, knowing they receive honest information about their workforce, which bolsters workplace safety policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessibility and Convenience: Accredited Drug Testing offers nationwide coverage, including strategic locations in North Tulsa, OK. The widespread presence of our testing centers guarantees swift and straightforward access to hair follicle drug testing services, emphasizing ease and speed for both local clientele and those across the country.

Employers and individuals benefit from the expansive reach of our facilities, ensuring that testing is only a short distance from their home or workplace. This accessibility supports hassle-free scheduling and rapid deployment of services, enhancing the efficiency of the drug testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined Procedures: Hair follicle testing through Accredited Drug Testing in North Tulsa, OK, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Our process for scheduling, conducting, and receiving drug test results is uncomplicated, ensuring individuals and employers face minimal difficulty and maximum privacy in every phase.

With secure handling and confidential communication of results, we guarantee privacy is upheld throughout. This eases concerns about data security and fosters trust in our ability to manage important information sensitively, supporting a seamless, respectful testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Value and Speed: In North Tulsa, OK, we provide hair follicle tests with competitive pricing structures that cater to organizations of all sizes. This affordability is paired with prompt result generation, delivering superior value to businesses conscientious about their budget without compromising on the quality or reliability of outcomes.

Fast turnaround times complement the cost-effectiveness, ensuring that employers receive crucial testing information without delay. This dynamic allows companies to maintain their pace while adhering to drug-free policies, emphasizing economic efficiency and thoroughness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speed and Precision: Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise results in North Tulsa, OK. The analysis processes these samples swiftly without sacrificing reliability, offering unbeatable accuracy in identifying substance use. This means employees and applicants receive timely feedback about their status, supporting quick decision-making in the hiring process.

Employers value the accuracy of hair testing, as it unveils a comprehensive picture of substance use. This meticulous method surfaces traces others might miss, guaranteeing certainty for those relying on the outcomes to maintain the integrity of their workforce. North Tulsa businesses can trust the results are both quick and trustworthy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance Confidence: Utilizing hair follicle tests in North Tulsa, OK, offers employers peace of mind by supporting conformity with drug-free workplace mandates. These tests underpin legal compliance and reinforce policies designed to eliminate drug presence in occupational environments, reducing the risk of breaches or liability.

Having a clear, documented approach through hair testing ensures that company standards align with regulatory demands, providing added security against legal confrontations. By solidifying a commitment to a toxin-free workplace, companies fortify both their reputation and operational safety.

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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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