Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oologah, OK

What it is, How it works

The detection of drug and alcohol use through hair testing is now regarded as a crucial method. By embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers, hair offers an extensive history of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair can detect alcohol and drugs for a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp is required to obtain 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those with more than 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary.

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the preliminary entry of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial, swift check for substance misuse. Although Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result must be corroborated to hold up in court. Hence, any samples testing preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptively positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs undergo extraction from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.

Any positive results in the screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are washed as required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection timeframe.
• Difficult to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, thus enhancing result precision.
• Historical insight: It can reveal a timeline of drug consumption over an extended duration, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: There is an estimated 5-7 day period before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and variations in individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually targets the hair strand, not the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Oologah, OK, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine testing in numerous ways. The accuracy and reliability of hair tests surpass traditional methods, providing cleaner, more dependable results.

• Longer detection window
• Reduced risk of tampering

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Oologah, OK, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests. Unlike other tests, hair analysis can reveal drug use over a 90-day period, offering a broader overview of an individual's substance habits.
This extended window helps employers make well-informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Oologah, OK, stands out due to its tamper-resistant nature. This method minimizes sample adulteration, ensuring authentic results. With such a rigorous collection process, results remain unquestionable, boosting confidence in their accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience stands out with our widespread hair follicle testing centers, including in Oologah, OK, ensuring a hassle-free experience. With our well-placed nationwide locations, access to testing services is both swift and easy, catering to varying needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for participating in hair follicle testing in Oologah, OK, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering tests and receiving results is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns while maintaining ease of use for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and a fast turnaround make hair follicle testing in Oologah, OK, an appealing option for companies of all sizes. Affordability and efficiency combine to deliver excellent value while ensuring reliable results quickly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers unparalleled precision and speed, making it a top choice for individuals and organizations in Oologah, OK. By detecting substances with high accuracy, it ensures that results are definitive and trustworthy.
Quick Results: This method provides rapid turnaround times without sacrificing reliability, ensuring you have the information you need promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Oologah, OK, companies can achieve peace of mind using hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free policies. This approach reduces legal risks and fosters a safe working environment. Ensuring safety and compliance with regulations can greatly enhance workplace morale and productivity.

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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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