Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sharon, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected at the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, less susceptible to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, composed of around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We propose using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test laboratory processing comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory's system. This process involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While it provides a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage in most cases, a positive result from Screening needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that are presumptive positives during Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entirety of the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It indicates a pattern of drug use over time, going beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Differing results: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Sharon, OK, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. With a longer detection window, hair tests provide superior accuracy and reliability, capturing drug use history over extended periods.

Urine tests may miss substance use beyond recent days, but hair tests maintain an extended detection capability. This makes them a reliable choice for employers looking to uphold zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Sharon, OK benefits from hair follicle testing's extended detection window. These tests can uncover drug usage over a period up to 90 days, offering employers detailed insight into an individual's substance history.

The long detection window provides a comprehensive view of a candidate’s or employee’s past actions, enabling informed decision-making. Employers gain a broader perspective beyond the immediate past.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Sharon, OK are resistant to tampering, offering reliable results. The methodology minimizes risks of sample adulteration, guaranteeing that results reflect true substance use accurately.

Unlike other testing methods, hair testing considerably reduces adulteration concerns, providing peace of mind with its robustness against alterations. The integrity of the results is maintained throughout the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Sharon, OK enjoys access to convenient nationwide testing locations for hair follicle tests. With centers spread across the country, the process is swift and hassle-free for all participants.

The ease of access ensures that getting tested is straightforward, meeting demands promptly. Local facilities offer a practical solution for timely and effective testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Sharon, OK, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results has been streamlined to prioritize user privacy and ease of use.

Individuals can expect a confidential experience, addressing concerns about privacy. The procedure is designed with simplicity in mind, ensuring it’s accessible to everyone while keeping results secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and fast turnaround are highlights of our hair follicle testing in Sharon, OK. Competitive pricing ensures great value for businesses of every size.

The fast turnaround offers timely insights while the pricing structure ensures tests are accessible, providing excellent value without sacrificing quality or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Sharon, OK provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision stands out, detecting substances with high accuracy. The rapid evaluation process ensures quick insights into any potential drug use.

The level of accuracy delivered by hair follicle testing is unmatched, making it a preferred choice for precise substance detection. Its reliability is bolstered by advanced technology ensuring dependable assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By leveraging hair follicle testing in Sharon, OK, employers can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This helps reduce legal risks and enhance the safety of the working environment.

Hair testing offers peace of mind, safeguarding both the employer and employees by adhering to best practices. It reinforces a commitment to maintaining a safe, compliant workplace.

Drug Testing Near Sharon, OK

Fort Supply, OK

Gage, OK

Chester, OK

Northeast Ellis, OK

Lenora, OK

Trail, OK

Quinlan, OK

Camargo, OK

Fargo, OK

Cestos, OK

Curtis, OK

Woodward, OK

Mooreland, OK

Mutual, OK

Vici, 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