Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oak Grove, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. It captures a long-term record of substance use by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the burgeoning hair strand. When trimmed near the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A specimen of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial introduction of a sample into the lab’s system. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary and rapid assessment for the presence of abusive drugs. It's a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use for the bulk of the samples; however, a positive result in the screen must be authenticated to be considered valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample yields a presumptive positive in the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than through other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests have the capacity to detect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have briefer detection spans.
• Challenge to manipulate: It's extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thus increasing accuracy.
• Historical data provision: It reveals a history of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may affect drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While colloquially termed "hair follicle tests", the examination assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Oak Grove, OK, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests mainly due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a broader detection window and are less susceptible to tampering.

• Greater accuracy gives employers a complete picture of an individual's substance use.
• Reliability reduces the risks of false negatives, unlike urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window in Oak Grove, OK. It tracks substance use for up to 90 days, giving employers a detailed view of an individual's history.

• This long detection period helps employers make informed decisions.
• It provides a comprehensive analysis of an applicant or employee's past behavior.

Employers benefit from understanding long-term substance use trends.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests significantly minimize tampering risks, ensuring reliable results in Oak Grove, OK. By reducing sample adulteration possibilities, these tests offer unquestionable accuracy.

• Observed collection prevents manipulation efforts.
• The inherent nature of hair testing makes it nearly impossible to cheat.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient services in Oak Grove, OK. Our network ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing facilities.

• Efficiency in setting up tests minimizes downtime for employees and employers.
• Local availability ensures easy access for everyone needing testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Oak Grove, OK is simple and remains confidential, addressing concerns of privacy. From ordering the test to receiving results, the process is streamlined.

• Clients experience a straightforward testing procedure without complications.
• Maintaining confidentiality is our priority, ensuring trust and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Oak Grove, OK, our pricing for hair follicle testing is affordable, offering a fast turnaround and making it accessible for all businesses. The combination of cost-effectiveness and rapid results ensures excellent value.

• Competitive pricing structures benefit companies of different sizes.
• Swift processing times help in maintaining operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests provide remarkable precision and speed in detecting substance use in Oak Grove, OK. Known for their high accuracy, these tests ensure reliable results, offering a clear advantage over other methods.

• Rapid results reduce delays in decision-making for employers.
• Accuracy ensures trustworthy measures for workplace safety.

This swift and reliable testing process alleviates concerns associated with drug testing, making it an essential tool for various stakeholders.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with workplace drug policies in Oak Grove, OK, bringing peace of mind to employers. By ensuring adherence, it also reduces legal risks and enhances overall safety.

• Employers can implement zero-tolerance policies more effectively.
• Assures the health and safety of the workplace environment.

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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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