Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Powell, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and other drugs by securing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to three months. It is straightforward to collect, fairly tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) pulled from near the scalp amounts to 100mg, which is the ideal quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, other additional tests, or for tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair specimen is suggested. It is advisable to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a corresponding amount of body hair may be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "Body hair" denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a specimen into the lab's system. This step ensures that the specimen is correctly sealed and shipped, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is allocated, and any additional data entry, not captured by an electronic chain of custody system, is performed.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment to detect drug abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court acceptability. Specimens presumed positive during Screening need additional confirmation.

In cases where a sample is indicative of drug presence during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Any positive screening outcomes are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All suspected positive samples are cleansed before confirmation, as required. The complete procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Displays usage trends: It illustrates a timeline of drug use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Drugs usually require about 5-7 days post-use to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and personal variances in hair growth can affect drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair shaft and not the follicle within the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Powell, OK
The superiority of hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing lies in its enhanced ability to detect substances over a more extended period. Its accuracy is unmatched, providing a more complete assessment. Moreover, hair tests are less prone to tampering, making them a reliable choice.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Powell, OK
One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to track drug use over an extended timeframe, up to 90 days. This feature supplies employers in Powell, OK with an extensive overview of an individual’s substance usage history, aiding in better-informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Powell, OK
Hair follicle testing is recognized for its ability to minimize the probability of sample tampering. This testing method ensures that results are secure and exact, eliminating doubts of manipulation and delivering trusted information.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Powell, OK
With our extensive network of testing centers across the nation, accessing hair follicle testing services is effortless and expedient, promising a seamless and stress-free experience to all our clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Powell, OK
The process for hair follicle testing is streamlined and discreet, combining privacy with simplicity. Clients can seamlessly arrange, conduct, and receive their results, ensuring confidentiality at every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Powell, OK
Our competitive pricing paired with prompt result delivery gives tremendous value. Organizations, regardless of size, are assured of economic and prompt service, which inspires confidence and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Powell, OK
Hair follicle testing provides fast and precise results, ensuring an accurate detection of any substance use. With state-of-the-art analytical methods, these tests deliver reliable outcomes, making them invaluable for both employers and individuals who need trustworthy information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Powell, OK
Utilizing hair follicle testing supports adherence to workplace drug-free standards, curbing potential legal complications and promoting a safe working environment, thus providing an assurance of compliance and security.

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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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