Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Northeast Ellis, OK

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has been recognized as a robust mechanism for the detection of substance and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended-term review of alcohol and other drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to alter, and convenient to ship.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advise measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair might be collected. When mentioning head hair, we are indicating scalp hair only. Body hair pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps involved in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory's system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift inspection for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use on the majority of cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positive undergo a wash before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to deceive: It is extremely difficult to deceive a hair drug test, thus making the results more reliable.
• Offers historical insights: It can provide a drug use pattern over an extended timeframe, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other substance testing methods.
• Disparities in results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Northeast Ellis, OK, hair follicle testing is superior to urine testing in various ways. Hair tests offer a broader detection period, capturing substance use history up to 90 days. This longer window allows employers to have a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance usage.

Urine tests, while effective for short-term detection, miss the longer history that hair testing can reveal. This gives the latter an edge in accuracy, making it hard for individuals to evade detection of past drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Employers benefit from using hair follicle tests in Northeast Ellis, OK, thanks to their extended detection range. Unlike traditional testing methods, hair testing can reveal drug consumption over the previous 90 days, providing a clear picture of an employee or applicant's substance history.

By monitoring up to three months of drug use, hair follicle tests give organizations an extensive profile, helping make better-informed decisions when it comes to safety and hiring practices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Northeast Ellis, OK, significantly reduces the likelihood of tampering. The reliable and robust nature of these tests makes it much harder for individuals to alter or conceal drug use, compared to more easily manipulated approaches like urine testing.

The risk of sample adulteration is minimized as hair samples are collected in a controlled and observed environment. This method ensures that the tests reflect the true substance use history of the individual, offering certainty that is invaluable to employers and institutions alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessibility to drug testing services is a key advantage in Northeast Ellis, OK, thanks to the widespread network of testing locations. With centers available nationwide, including locally, obtaining hair follicle testing services is both straightforward and convenient.

This network enables rapid testing, reducing wait times and ensuring that individuals and employers get the service they need without unnecessary travel or delays. The convenience and reach of these locations make them a preferred choice for efficient testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and undergoing hair follicle testing in Northeast Ellis, OK, is straightforward and confidential. The process is designed with the user's privacy in mind, streamlining the testing experience from start to finish without compromising on discretion.

Whether ordering a test, providing a sample, or receiving results, each step ensures simplicity and confidentiality. This approach addresses potential privacy concerns, enhancing trust and user confidence in the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For organizations of all sizes in Northeast Ellis, OK, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing paired with fast turnaround times. The competitive pricing structure ensures excellent value, allowing businesses to budget for necessary testing without financial strain.

Quick processing of results means that employers can make timely decisions based on reliable data, while the cost-effectiveness of these services ensures that quality and affordability go hand in hand, making it a viable option for all.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When it comes to reliability and speed, hair follicle testing in Northeast Ellis, OK, leads the way. Compared to other methods, it offers unparalleled accuracy in detecting prohibited substances. The precision of the analysis ensures that employers and other organizations can trust the results.

With rapid processing times, hair follicle tests provide quick outcomes, maintaining high accuracy. This dependability is crucial for time-sensitive evaluations, offering results that can be acted upon without excessive delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Northeast Ellis, OK, using hair follicle tests ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, providing employers with peace of mind. This method helps maintain a drug-free environment, reducing potential legal issues tied to drug use within the workforce.

These tests reinforce an organization's commitment to safety, helping to uphold standards that protect both employees and the business. Additionally, they support adherence to regulatory demands, safeguarding companies from potential liabilities related to substance misuse.

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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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