Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oaks, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are now regarded as an effective method for identifying substance use. Hair serves as a chronological record of alcohol and drugs by embedding markers into the strands as they grow. When sourced closely from the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol presence for up to three months. It is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is preferable. Using a jeweler's scale is suggested for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is missing, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. “Head hair” specifically refers to scalp hair only. “Body hair” represents any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of drug test outcomes involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial stage of integrating a sample into the lab system. This step includes ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing additional data entries not covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. Though Screening is a cost-effective means to largely rule out drug use, any positive indication requires verification for legal admissibility. Samples that presumptively test positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging process to execute.

Any positive screening outcome is confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in accordance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can recognize drug use up to 90 days past, unlike urine testing with a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Hair drug tests are significantly harder to falsify, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical overview: It can reveal a record of substance use, not merely recent incidents.

Limitations:

• Limited to past use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Higher expense: Typically, hair tests incur higher costs than other drug testing alternatives.
• Variability in results: Aspects like hair color and individual growth rate can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis pertains to the hair strand itself, not the follicle embedded under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in Oaks, OK, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in efficacy. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy and a longer surveillance period. While traditional urine tests have their place, the comprehensive nature of hair analysis ensures an unparalleled standard in monitoring and verifying substance use incidences with reliability and precision.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Oaks, OK benefit immensely from hair follicle testing, which offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. Unlike other methods, hair analysis provides a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history, giving employers a fuller picture of an employee or applicant's habits over an extensive period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in Oaks, OK effectively minimizes tampering risks. Its robust nature ensures that samples remain untampered and results are reliable. Employers can trust the integrity of these tests, knowing they offer conclusive, untouchable insights into substance use without the threat of sample adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessibility to testing services is critical, and in Oaks, OK, our nationwide and local testing centers make it simple. Rapid, hassle-free access to hair follicle testing ensures that individuals and businesses can secure timely services, meeting urgent testing needs efficiently without unnecessary delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process in Oaks, OK is straightforward and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed with privacy and simplicity in mind. Addressing privacy concerns, this approach ensures individuals experience a seamless journey through testing, secure in the confidentiality of their results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Oaks, OK offers not only affordable hair follicle testing options but also quick turnaround times. Companies of various sizes benefit from competitive pricing structures, gaining remarkable value while ensuring quick, reliable results, affirming cost-efficiency and peace of mind in their testing decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Oaks, OK, the swift and precise outcomes of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. These tests exemplify high accuracy in substance detection. The innate reliability of hair testing methods provides rapid, conclusive results that instill confidence in both employers and individuals seeking dependable assessments of drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Oaks, OK, hair follicle testing allows employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies efficiently. By integrating these tests, companies reduce legal liabilities and bolster safety, providing peace of mind that workplace environments remain secure and free from the influence of substances.

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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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