Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ringold, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. It captures a prolonged record of substances by securing biomarkers within the strands’ fibers as hair grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over an approximate period of three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and the sample is easily transported.

A 1.5-inch sample, consisting of around 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG additions or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale is recommended. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent weight of body hair may be utilized. In this context, head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The lab processing for drug testing encompasses four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the first phase of integrating a sample into a lab's framework. This step involves confirming the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and performing additional data entries that aren't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase provides an initial assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is an economical process for eliminating drug use in most samples, to be legally valid, a positive screening requires confirmation. Samples testing positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample turn up positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Drugs, at this stage, are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations than prevalent in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains the complexity of hair drug screening relative to other methods.

Subsequent confirmation of a positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed. The comprehensive lab procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is aligned with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests detect drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests' shorter duration.
• High accuracy: The difficulty in cheating a hair test enhances result accuracy.
• Historical use pattern: Hair tests illustrate drug usage trends over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Limited to past use: Drug detection in hair takes approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair testing tends to be costlier than other methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and growth rates can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination is performed on the hair strand itself, not the subcutaneous hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ringold, OK
In comparing hair follicle tests with urine tests, the former emerges superior due to its longer detection period and more reliable results. While urine tests can capture drug use within a short timeframe, hair testing reviews substance use over an extended period.

Hair testing in Ringold, OK, provides an edge over urine testing by minimizing the chance of tampering and offering a broader view of a person's drug use history, thus ensuring higher detection accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ringold, OK
Hair follicle tests can reveal substance use over the last 90 days, providing employers insight into consistent drug use behaviors rather than just recent incidents.

This comprehensive detection allows companies in Ringold, OK, to evaluate a candidate's or employee's long-term substance habits, leading to informed decision-making and fostering a safer, more productive workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ringold, OK
Unlike many other testing methods, hair follicle tests are less susceptible to manipulation, offering robust results that are hard to dispute.

Employers in Ringold, OK, can depend on the integrity of hair testing, which effectively diminishes the risk of fake negatives through clever bypassing techniques, ensuring trustworthy evaluations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ringold, OK
With numerous centers nationwide, including local access in Ringold, OK, testing becomes a seamless experience, ensuring ease and efficiency.

Our widespread locations facilitate quick and convenient testing procedures, making it easier for businesses and individuals to access hair follicle tests whenever necessary.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ringold, OK
Our straightforward process for ordering and conducting hair tests prioritizes confidentiality, safeguarding individual privacy at each step.

Whether in testing or receiving results, every step is designed to be easy-to-understand and secure, ensuring that concerns over privacy and data protection are adequately addressed for residents of Ringold, OK.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ringold, OK
Employers can benefit from our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, ensuring excellent value without sacrificing quality or speed.

In Ringold, OK, our pricing structures are paired with rapid result delivery, reinforcing efficient business operations and allowing companies to make timely decisions based on reliable data.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ringold, OK
Hair follicle drug testing offers not only speed but exceptional precision. Its ability to accurately detect substance use makes it a top choice for organizations in Ringold, OK, looking for quick and trustworthy results.

The methodology used in hair testing limits errors and ensures that results are available promptly, providing peace of mind with each assessment, confirming the presence or absence of drugs with high reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ringold, OK
Implementing hair follicle testing aids in adhering to drug-free policies, shielding businesses from potential legal disputes and improving workplace safety.

Peace of mind is a key benefit for companies in Ringold, OK, as they achieve compliance and reinforce zero-tolerance policies, knowing their employees are reliably screened.

Drug Testing Near Ringold, OK

Garvin, OK

Sawyer, OK

Zion, OK

Nashoba, OK

Golden, OK

Millerton, OK

Rattan, OK

Fort Towson, OK

Valliant, OK

Swink, OK

Spencerville, OK

Pickens, OK

Wright City, OK

Finley-Rattan, OK

Rufe, 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