Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ralston, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A hair sample of about 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, the equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample be deemed presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is the reason hair drug screening is the hardest methodology to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory processing from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed 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 tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which offer a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, making the results more reliable.
• Offers historical data: It can provide a pattern of drug use over time, not limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ralston, OK
Hair tests provide a significant advantage over traditional urine tests by offering longer detection periods and greater accuracy. Employers benefit from consistent results showing drug use history, making these tests a reliable alternative in drug detection.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing's observed collection method reduces manipulation chances, adding to the test's integrity. This enhanced reliability ensures a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ralston, OK
Hair follicle testing extends the detection period for drug use to 90 days, offering a thorough view into an individual's substance use over time. Employers gain a better understanding of their potential and current employees' substance history.

The long detection window provided by hair testing enables businesses to ensure a safer workplace, as it provides insights that other tests might miss, supporting informed hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ralston, OK
The method of conducting hair follicle tests significantly lowers the risk of tampering with samples. This reliability means employers can trust the results without concern for sample adulteration, a common issue with other testing forms.

The non-invasiveness and predictability of hair tests enhance their reputation as a secure option for drug testing, assuring organizations that their substance screening processes are beyond reproach.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing and Local Locations in Ralston, OK
With our extensive network of testing sites, getting a hair follicle test is convenient anywhere in the country. This broad accessibility ensures that testing is quick, easy, and free from hassles in Ralston and beyond.

Having local and national reach allows our clients seamless access to reliable testing options, demonstrating our commitment to service efficiency and user-friendliness.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ralston, OK
The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and maintains confidentiality. Clients benefit from an easy-to-navigate system that respects privacy at every step, from testing to receiving results.

Our discrete procedures reassure individuals and companies of their data protection, ensuring a smooth experience that values personal and corporate privacy alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ralston, OK
We offer competitive pricing structures coupled with rapid result turnaround times, delivering excellent value to businesses of all sizes. This affordability ensures comprehensive access to top-notch testing services without financial strain.

Our fast delivery of results allows organizations to make timely decisions, underscoring the benefit of choosing cost-effective hair follicle testing over more traditional options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ralston, OK
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Providing highly accurate detection of substance use, these tests deliver fast and direct results, ensuring reliability for employers and individuals needing conclusive outcomes.

With hair testing, you gain confidence in the results, as the stringent process eliminates inaccuracies often associated with other testing methods. Trustworthy and swift, hair follicle tests maintain high standards in result accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ralston, OK
Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method decreases legal liabilities and heightens workplace safety, granting employers peace of mind.

The dependability of hair testing supports organizational needs for secure and compliant practices, fostering a drug-free environment and mitigating potential legal challenges.

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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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