Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rattan, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug usage by encasing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. By collecting hair near the scalp, a detection window of up to roughly three months can be achieved for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands of hair (resembling the size of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp is sufficient to collect 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for testing and validation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen should be gathered. Use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair may be acquired. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial sample processing within a laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any necessary data entry that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary and rapid check for drug substances. Although screening effectively excludes drug use in the majority of cases, a positive screening result must be validated for court purposes. Samples that test presumptively positive in screening require follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample test as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review as per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria, along with adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited timeframe.
• Challenging to deceive: It's extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, resulting in greater accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insights: Hair testing can reveal drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days before drugs are detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other methods.
• Variability in findings: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence the density of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Rattan, OK, hair follicle testing is preferred over traditional urine testing. This method offers superior detection capabilities, providing greater accuracy and reliability than urine tests.

Employers, courts, and professionals turn to hair follicle tests for their longer detection period and higher reliability when implementing drug use policies. Experience the difference with hair testing over urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended detection is a hallmark of hair follicle testing in Rattan, OK. It provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history up to 90 days.

The long window for drug detection ensures employers can make informed decisions based on comprehensive substance history, offering a clearer picture than other tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the greatest strengths of hair follicle tests in Rattan, OK, is their tamper-resistant nature. They drastically reduce the possibility of sample adulteration.

Using a hair follicle test ensures unquestionable results, upholding the integrity of the testing process while protecting against attempts to cheat.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing centers nationwide, including Rattan, OK, making access to testing services quick and effortless.

The numerous locations guarantee easy, hassle-free testing experiences, facilitating a smooth process across the country for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Rattan, OK, hair follicle testing involves a simple and confidential process. Ordering, undergoing the test, and receiving results are straightforward and secure steps.

This process prioritizes privacy, making it easy and stress-free to obtain results without compromising the integrity or security of personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Rattan, OK, offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for companies of any size.

Our competitive rates and fast result delivery provide peace of mind, making it a cost-effective solution for those requiring timely drug test findings.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Rattan, OK, is unparalleled for its speed and precise results. Accurate detection of substance use is achieved through this advanced method, ensuring reliable outcomes in a short time frame.

With hair follicle testing, you gain access to fast, accurate, and dependable results, reducing wait times and enhancing decision-making processes. Trust the efficacy of this test for top-notch precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Rattan, OK, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, enhancing company safety and reducing legal risks.

Implementing hair testing provides peace of mind, as it assures that drug-free policies are maintained, creating a safer work environment.

Drug Testing Near Rattan, OK

Soper, OK

Grant, OK

Swink, OK

Ringold, OK

Rufe, OK

Moyers, OK

Fort Towson, OK

Hugo, OK

Choctaw, OK

Sawyer, OK

Finley-Rattan, OK

Antlers, OK

Speer, OK

Finley, OK

Spencerville, 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