Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Ellis, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake by incorporating biomarkers within the fibers of the lengthening hair strand. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to an approximate 90-day detection timeframe for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp generates 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't available, an equivalent bulk of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we exclusively refer to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair categories (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The principal stages in lab processing for drug test reporting include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a specimen into the lab system. This process ensures that the specimen was correctly sealed and transported, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is allocated, and any further data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.

Screening conducts an initial, rapid examination for drug abuses. Although Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to dismiss drug use in most specimens, a screening result must be confirmed for it to hold in a legal setting. Specimens that are initially positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a specimen shows initial positivity during Screening, additional hair is acquired from the original sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are obtained from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence hair drug testing is considered the most challenging method to execute.

Positive Screening outcomes are corroborated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all initial positive samples undergo washing as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, thus results are more reliable.
• Offers historical insight: It depicts a chronological pattern of drug use over time, in contrast to detecting only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: There needs to be a 5-7 day span before drugs are identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs a higher cost relative to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair pigmentation and personal differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites observed in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself and excludes the subcutaneous hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests have risen as a superior choice compared to urine tests in South Ellis, OK. The k
benefits of hair-centric methods are evident in their ability to identify a wider span of substance use history, delivering trustworthy insights that urine tests may miss. Hair testing stands out for its increased accuracy and reliability, making it invaluable for employers enforcing drug-free environments.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an extensive detection window, hair follicle testing in South Ellis, OK, reveals drug use for up to
90 days. This prolonged period presents a substantial advantage over other methods. Employers gain a nuanced understanding of an individual’s drug activity, crucial for informed hiring and retention decisions within organizations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The highly
tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in South Ellis, OK, virtually eliminates the risk of sample alteration. The method ensures reliability in results as manipulation is nearly impossible, thus bolstering faith in the testing process among users and decision-makers alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our widespread
nationwide centers make drug testing a convenient affair for individuals in South Ellis, OK. With several accessible
testing locations, the process is streamlined and stress-free, epitomizing hassle-free service across different states and cities.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in South Ellis, OK, is designed with simplicity and confidentiality at its forefront. Participants can
comfortably engage with the simple process, ensuring privacy and straightforward access to their results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering
affordable pricing and swift result delivery, our hair follicle testing service in South Ellis, OK, stands out in value. Employers of all sizes benefit from a transparent and economical approach to drug testing without compromising on speed or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in South Ellis, OK, boast remarkable precision and quick, accurate outputs. The
speed and accuracy inherent in these tests provide line management with confidence in assessing substance use. Their design to swiftly detect drug traces confirms their status as the cutting-edge method in drug testing efficacy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers committed to maintaining drug-free workplaces in South Ellis, OK, hair follicle testing offers
compliance and reassurance. It aids adherence to workplace policies and diminishes legal exposure, reinforcing safety and integrity within professional settings.

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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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