Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Strong City, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. It is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. Reference to head hair pertains to scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into the lab's system. This step includes verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be admissible in legal settings. Samples that screen presumptively positive require secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is drawn from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Supplies historical insights: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variances: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Strong City, OK
When comparing hair follicle tests to more traditional urine analysis, the advantages are significant. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, signifying a more dependable analysis tool for identifying substance use, thereby setting a gold standard in Strong City, OK's testing environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Strong City, OK
Employers benefit from the extended detection window of up to 90 days that hair follicle testing provides. Unlike shorter-term alternatives, hair analysis offers a comprehensive historic view of an individual's substance use, empowering employers to make more informed decisions in Strong City.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Strong City, OK
Hair follicle testing ensures an exceptionally tamper-resistant approach to drug analysis. This method reduces the risk of sample adulteration, delivering trustworthy and undeniable results, and ultimately ensuring test integrity for those using these services in Strong City.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Strong City, OK
Our extensive network of testing centers, including those in Strong City, ensures that accessing our testing services is simple, quick, and hassle-free. Nationwide availability means that clients can always find a convenient location for their testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Strong City, OK
The procedure for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be straightforward and private. This ensures user confidentiality and an effortless experience, alleviating concerns of privacy within Strong City testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Strong City, OK
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures coupled with quick result turnarounds, benefiting businesses of all sizes in Strong City. Our service ensures excellent value, savings, and assurance through our efficient and cost-effective approach.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Strong City, OK
Hair follicle drug tests provide precision and timely results, illustrating their accuracy in assessing substance use. This method ensures that outcomes are both fast and reliable, supporting decisions based on concrete evidence. Users in Strong City can trust these tests for thorough and accurate substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Strong City, OK
The use of hair follicle testing aids employers in adhering to drug-free workplace policies, curbing legal risks while enhancing safety. This testing procedure provides peace of mind, assuring compliance and creating a more secure work environment in Strong City.

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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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