Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Northwest Pittsburg, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month history of alcohol and drug use. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to falsify, and simple to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hairs (about the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG or more extensive panels above ten drugs, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to determine the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory process of drug testing consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial entry of a sample into the lab’s system. This step involves confirming that the sample has been properly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial test to check for drug abuse. While it's an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, any positive Screening result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive results must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Drugs are then extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods such as urine or oral fluid, which presents a greater challenge in hair drug screening.

For confirmation of any positive screening result, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Samples that test as presumptive positive undergo washing if needed before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to tamper with: Tampering with a hair drug test is very challenging, increasing result reliability.
• Shows drug use history: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for detecting recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though called "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing traditional urine tests with hair follicle testing in Northwest Pittsburg, OK, the latter emerges as superior due to its enhanced accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide an extensive detection period, outperforming urine tests.

The hair follicle method not only surpasses urine tests in detection duration but also offers a more reliable reflection of an individual's drug use history, making it the preferred choice for many.

Extended Detection Window

Northwest Pittsburg, OK's hair follicle testing excels with its extended detection window, capable of revealing drug use history for up to 90 days. This extended detection period offers a wider view of an individual's substance use compared to other methods.

Such a comprehensive detection period aids employers in painting a full picture of a potential or current employee's drug use, contributing to informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Northwest Pittsburg, OK, hair follicle testing significantly limits the potential for tampering, ensuring the integrity of test results. This method minimizes the risk of adulteration, making it a reliable choice.

With hair tests, the opportunity for substitution or dilution is vastly reduced compared to other testing methods, providing trustworthy and accurate outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The presence of nationwide testing centers, including local options in Northwest Pittsburg, OK, guarantees hassle-free access for those requiring drug testing services.

Our diverse network of locations ensures rapid and convenient testing availability, with locations strategically placed for easy accessibility across various regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Northwest Pittsburg, OK, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step prioritizes your privacy and ease of use.

We ensure that our procedures remain efficient and discreet, addressing common concerns surrounding confidentiality and simplifying the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times are hallmark features of hair follicle testing in Northwest Pittsburg, OK, offering substantial value for businesses of every size.

The combination of affordable costs and rapid results provides companies with quality service and peace of mind, making it an attractive option for workplace testing strategies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Northwest Pittsburg, OK, hair follicle drug tests deliver swift and precise results, standing out as one of the most dependable methods for substance detection. These tests offer high accuracy in identifying drug use, providing fast outcomes without compromising reliability.

The advantage of hair follicle testing lies in its ability to offer rapid results while ensuring accuracy. Each test is meticulously conducted to uphold high standards in detecting substance use effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing as part of your Northwest Pittsburg, OK workplace strategy supports compliance with drug-free policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal complications.

For employers, this method not only provides reassurance of maintaining a safe environment but also aids in upholding standards that protect the workforce and the business overall.

Drug Testing Near Northwest Pittsburg, OK

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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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