Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pickens, OK

What it is, How it works

The use of hair analysis for detecting drug and alcohol intake has become recognized as an effective method. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands during growth. When procured near the scalp, it offers a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, slightly resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from roughly 200 hair strands (approximating the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp equals 100mg, the preferred amount for examination and verification. For EtG extensions and/or tests exceeding ten panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in processing a drug test outcome in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the first stage of inputting a sample into the lab's system. It involves ensuring the sample is appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid evaluation for drug misuse. Although Screening economically identifies the absence of drug use in most cases, a positive screen needs court-admissible confirmation. Any samples with preliminary positive results in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample yields a preliminary positive in Screening, more hair is collected from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, the hair releases drugs at a significantly lesser concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficult to deceive: Hair drug tests are quite hard to falsify, thereby ensuring accurate results.
• Historical data provision: It offers a pattern of drug usage over a duration, beyond just current usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent detection: It takes about 5-7 days before drugs show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other testing forms.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual growth differences can modify the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Pickens, OK, why hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing is evident. Hair testing offers unparalleled detection accuracy and is less susceptible to manipulation compared to traditional urine tests. This ensures that results are both robust and dependable for assessing past substance use.

The benefits of hair testing, including its longer detection window compared to urine tests, mean more accurate assessments of an individual's drug usage history. Their reliability makes them a highly regarded choice among employers and professionals.

Extended Detection Window

In Pickens, OK, the extended detection window of up to 90 days provided by hair follicle testing offers a longer and more comprehensive look into an individual's substance use history. It's a key advantage over other testing methods, especially for employers seeking a thorough assessment.

This method provides employers with insights that are much more comprehensive, giving them the data needed to make informed decisions regarding their employees or potential hires.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Pickens, OK, hair follicle tests are known for their tamper-resistant nature. This reduces the chance of adulteration, ensuring that results are authentic and conclusive. Compared to other testing methods, hair tests provide a higher level of confidence in results.

For organizations and individuals requiring dependable testing results, this method’s ability to guard against tampering is a significant advantage, offering decisive outcomes that can be trusted.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Thanks to our network of convenient nationwide testing locations and those in Pickens, OK, accessing our services is straightforward. Whether you're in a major city or small town, testing is quick and hassle-free, ensuring ease of access for individuals in need of testing services.

With readily available testing centers, obtaining a hair follicle drug test is simplified, making it an accessible and efficient process for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Pickens, OK, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and is designed to be user-friendly, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and discomfort.

The streamlined process ensures applicants and employers feel secure in knowing their information is handled discreetly, without sacrificing ease of use or accuracy in the results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With a focus on affordable pricing and fast turnaround, our services in Pickens, OK, emphasize a competitive structure that provides excellent value. This combination ensures companies of all sizes benefit from top-notch testing services without breaking the bank.

Quick results coupled with cost-effective solutions mean that organizations can enjoy peace of mind while adhering to budget constraints, ensuring a valuable return on their investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The ability to deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results has made hair follicle drug testing a preferred choice in Pickens, OK. This method offers a high degree of precision in detecting substance use, providing results that decision-makers can rely upon. The overall speed of this process ensures timely decision-making without sacrificing accuracy.

Thanks to the advanced technology and methods behind hair drug testing, results are not only consistent but also speedy. This ensures that individuals and organizations can quickly proceed with necessary actions based on the accurate findings from these tests in Pickens, OK.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pickens, OK, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through the use of hair follicle testing. By adhering to strict drug-free policies, these tests help reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety, bolstering policy adherence and compliance.

Utilizing hair testing for drug screening purposes helps maintain a safe and productive work environment, while also minimizing potential legal liabilities for employers.

Drug Testing Near Pickens, OK

Clayton, OK

South Le Flore, OK

Wright City, OK

Tuskahoma, OK

Whitesboro, OK

Smithville, OK

Rufe, OK

Octavia, OK

Albion, OK

North Pushmataha, OK

North McCurtain, OK

Finley-Rattan, OK

Ringold, OK

Nashoba, OK

Honobia, OK

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews