Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oakwood, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair strand analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands offer an extensive record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can present a scrutiny span of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluation and verification. For tests using EtG, add-ons, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is lacking, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result incorporates four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This comprises ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAB Accessioning Number, and finalizing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive result must be substantiated to be permissible in legal situations. All samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further verification.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Any positive screening outcomes are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a briefer detection period.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Supplies historical insight: Offers a timeline of drug usage over an extended phase, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Results may vary: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Choose Hair Over Urine Testing?

In Oakwood, OK, hair testing surpasses urine tests by providing extended detection and superior accuracy. While urine tests detect recent use, hair tests present a more extended drug history, ideal for thorough assessments. This makes hair testing a reliable choice for discerning drug use patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Capabilities

Hair follicle tests in Oakwood, OK, can trace substance use up to 90 days. This long detection window enables employers to gain a full understanding of an individual's substance use over time. Hair tests present a comprehensive view, benefiting both pre-employment and ongoing employee evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Drug Testing

Hair follicle tests offer enhanced security against tampering. In Oakwood, OK, they virtually eliminate the risk of adulteration, delivering trustworthy results. This makes hair testing an essential tool for environments where accuracy and integrity are paramount.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide and Local Testing Convenience

In Oakwood, OK, and across the nation, our testing centers facilitate convenient access to services. With widespread locations, both employers and individuals find obtaining a test straightforward and hassle-free, ensuring managed testing processes wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Confidential and Easy Testing Process

Our simple and discreet hair testing process in Oakwood, OK, prioritizes privacy. Ordering, conducting, and retrieving test results is user-friendly and secure, assuring confidentiality while catering to personal and corporate needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable and Quick Testing

In Oakwood, OK, our hair follicle tests offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. Designed to provide excellent value, these tests deliver critical insights promptly, proving beneficial for businesses across various scales looking for cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Results in Oakwood, OK

The hair follicle test offers a rapid, reliable means to detect drug use. In Oakwood, OK, individuals and businesses can rely on its precision and efficiency. Unlike other methods, it delivers accurate results swiftly, ensuring the high standards needed for effective testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Safety

For employers in Oakwood, OK, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind by supporting drug-free policies. Its implementation helps meet compliance obligations, reducing legal risks and elevating workplace safety. It's a strategic asset for maintaining regulatory and safety standards.

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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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