Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rocky Ford, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer up to an approximately 3-month span for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to ship.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil), closes to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipping are intact, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a quick initial check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient way to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations considerably lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug usage up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: It is challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: Can depict a pattern of drug use over a duration, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Rocky Ford, OK
Hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. The method delivers more reliable and accurate results, with a longer detection window. This makes it a preferred choice for employers and legal entities in Rocky Ford, OK, looking for efficient drug-testing solutions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Rocky Ford, OK
Hair follicle tests provide a comprehensive detection window of drug use, up to 90 days. For employers in Rocky Ford, OK, this offers an in-depth look into an applicant or employee's long-term substance use history, facilitating informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Rocky Ford, OK
Hair follicle tests are significantly more resistant to tampering compared to other methods. This robust testing ensures reliable, unquestionable results, giving peace of mind to employers and legal authorities in Rocky Ford, OK.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Rocky Ford, OK
With Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide centers, access to our services in Rocky Ford, OK, is quick and efficient. Our extensive locations mean minimal travel, ensuring a hassle-free testing experience for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Rocky Ford, OK
The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, residents of Rocky Ford, OK, can trust in the privacy and simplicity of our services, addressing any privacy concerns seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Rocky Ford, OK
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times provide great value for businesses of any size. In Rocky Ford, OK, companies can achieve peace of mind by leveraging our cost-effective and prompt drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Rocky Ford, OK
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision in delivering fast, reliable results. This testing method ensures high accuracy when detecting substance use, helping maintain a drug-free environment. Residents and professionals in Rocky Ford, OK, can rely on this advanced testing for swift outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Rocky Ford, OK
Using hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, safeguarding legal compliance and enhancing safety. Employers in Rocky Ford can mitigate risks and foster a secure environment by opting for this reliable testing solution.

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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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