Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Northwest Ellis, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by incorporating biomarkers into the strands of growing hair. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to adulterate, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair can be used. References to head hair denote only scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary procedures in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within the lab system. This step entails verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial quick check for illicit drugs. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If Screening shows a presumptive positive, more hair is taken from the original specimen to prepare for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening poses greater challenges than other methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive result undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is supervised under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Challenge to deceive: It's challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than recent consumption alone.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are commonly more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Northwest Ellis, OK, the benefits are clear. Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability, offering a more thorough understanding of an individual's drug use history. As a result, hair testing is increasingly preferred for its extended detection capabilities and reduced likelihood of tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Northwest Ellis, OK, is unparalleled for its extensive detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use. This long detection period gives employers a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use over time, allowing for more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Northwest Ellis, OK, the risk of sample adulteration is significantly minimized with hair follicle tests. This tamper-resistant testing method ensures that the results are reliable and can't be easily manipulated, providing employers and other stakeholders with unquestionable evidence of drug usage.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide and locally in Northwest Ellis, OK, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is both quick and hassle-free. The convenience of having multiple facilities ensures that individuals can get tested with ease and efficiency, whether locally or across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Northwest Ellis, OK, we offer a simple, confidential process for hair follicle testing. From ordering tests to receiving results, the process is straightforward and privacy-conscious, addressing any concerns clients might have regarding confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Northwest Ellis, OK, provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes. This affordable option does not compromise on quality, ensuring companies can maintain drug-free policies without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Northwest Ellis, OK, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and reliability. With their high accuracy, these tests can detect substance use beyond other methods, ensuring fast and accurate results. This makes them an excellent choice for immediate and dependable drug detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Northwest Ellis, OK, are assured of compliance and peace of mind through the use of hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigates legal risks, and enhances workplace safety, fostering a secure environment for all 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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