Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Spencerville, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an efficient means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term drug and alcohol history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 90-day window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) next to the scalp can provide 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation stages. For add-ons like EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is recommended to have 150mg. We advise measuring the sample weight using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other types (face, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The main steps in the lab processing of drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the phase where a sample is first processed into a lab's system. This consists of checking if the sample was securely sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data not provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admittance. Samples that test positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in Screening, more hair is sourced from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Drugs are drawn from hair at much lower levels in this phase than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the hardest to complete.

Any positive outcome from Screening is verified with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a much shorter detection period.
• Difficult to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Supplies a timeline of drug use: It can outline a pattern of usage over time instead of recent consumption alone.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Drugs become noticeable in hair in around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be costlier than other testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Spencerville, OK

Hair follicle testing provides superior advantages over traditional urine tests, with enhanced accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine samples, hair tests detect broader substance usage over extended periods, offering a more comprehensive and dependable analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Spencerville, OK

The extensive detection ability of hair follicle testing unravels drug usage history up to 90 days prior, presenting a detailed insight into the individual's substance habits. This makes it an indispensable tool for employers interested in thorough evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Spencerville, OK

Hair follicle testing drastically minimizes the chances of adulteration, with results that are both reliable and indisputable. The stringent protocols often involved ensure the highest integrity in test outcomes, leaving no room for manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Spencerville, OK

With testing centers scattered nationwide, access to drug testing services becomes prompt and uncomplicated. Our local Spencerville facilities further ensure a seamless, stress-free testing procedure for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Spencerville, OK

The process for requesting, executing, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. This guarantees user privacy and ease of operation, addressing any apprehensions regarding discretion and user-friendliness.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Spencerville, OK

Our competitive pricing models and swift response times deliver outstanding value, providing peace of mind for businesses of every size. The efficient service does not compromise on quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Spencerville, OK

The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug testing is unparalleled, offering accurate detection of substance usage. Hair tests are not only swift but also provide definitive confirmation of drug presence, thereby enhancing reliability and trustworthiness in test results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Spencerville, OK

Utilizing hair follicle tests guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace mandates, curbing potential legal repercussions and reinforcing safety. This strategy fortifies an employer's commitment to maintaining a secure and compliant environment.

Drug Testing Near Spencerville, OK

Soper, OK

Valliant, OK

Grant, OK

Antlers, OK

Finley, OK

Finley-Rattan, OK

Ringold, OK

Choctaw, OK

Hugo, OK

Swink, OK

Rufe, OK

Speer, OK

Fort Towson, OK

Sawyer, OK

Rattan, 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.

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