Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Summit, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of substances like alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period spanning up to 3 months for alcohol and drug use. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of around 200 hairs (approximately equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and validation. For EtG, extras, or tests exceeding 10 panels, collecting 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process for laboratory handling of a drug test encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step in entering a sample into a lab’s system. It involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not received via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a rapid preliminary assessment for substance misuse. Though Screening is a cost-sensitive method to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive result in Screening must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at a considerably lower concentration compared to other withdrawal methods (e.g., urine or saliva), explaining why hair drug testing is one of the most complex processes to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screen involves using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptively positive samples undergo cleaning before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is assessed in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug examinations can identify drug use for about 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to manipulate: Altering results of a hair drug examination is very challenging, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Offers historical perspective: It highlights a timeline of substance use over time, and not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Doesn't detect recent usage: It requires around 5-7 days before drugs become noticeable in hair.
• Pricey: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand and not the underlying hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior accuracy and reliability in drug detection in Summit, OK. The hair analysis method provides a detailed history of substance use, surpassing the detection capability of urine tests by covering a longer duration. This enables employers to have a better understanding of an individual's past drug use, reinforcing workplace safety and integrity.

Hair testing is increasingly favored due to its durability against sample tampering and its capacity to detect a wider range of substances. Unlike urine tests, which only capture recent consumption, hair tests present a clear picture of long-term habits, supporting enhanced decision-making processes for employers.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection period lasting up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Summit, OK, provides unmatched insights into an individual's substance use history. This extended window allows employers to comprehensively evaluate an applicant's or employee's drug habits, ensuring better-informed decisions. Hair tests cover a broader timeline, unlike other methods that offer only a snapshot of recent use.

Employers seeking thorough assessments benefit from the extended detection capabilities of hair testing. This longer window reveals patterns of drug use over three months, making it an essential part of maintaining a secure and healthy workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing ensures that results are trustworthy and difficult to alter, providing peace of mind to employers in Summit, OK. This method significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, a common issue with other testing types, thereby yielding credible outcomes. Such reliability ensures that the test results accurately reflect the subject's drug use history.

Hair testing methods are nearly impossible to fool, offering an added layer of security for employers. This ensures compliance with company policies and assists businesses in upholding their integrity by preventing manipulation of test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient and widespread testing locations across the nation, including Summit, OK. This ensures that businesses and individuals have easy access to reliable hair testing services. Local testing sites reduce travel time and offer flexible scheduling, ensuring a seamless experience without the hassle of navigating distant locations.

The extensive network of testing centers guarantees quick and efficient service, accommodating the needs of companies regardless of size or industry. Clients benefit from streamlined testing processes and the ability to access essential services within their community.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Summit, OK, is designed to be both straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every step. From ordering a test to receiving results, clients experience a seamless process that respects individual privacy. The clear steps offer reassurance that personal information remains secure throughout.

Employers and individuals appreciate the ease of using this testing method, with a user-friendly approach that minimizes concerns about privacy. The protection of confidential data fosters trust in the testing provider, reinforcing the assurance of a discreet testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Summit, OK, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's commitment to affordable hair follicle testing and rapid result turnaround. The competitive pricing ensures that businesses of all sizes can afford comprehensive drug testing, while timely results support efficient decision-making processes. Pricing structures are designed to provide excellent value without compromising on quality or speed.

Clients enjoy the blend of affordability and fast service which these testing solutions offer. The optimal balance of cost-efficiency and performance caters to the needs of various companies, promoting a value-driven approach to workplace safety management.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Summit, OK, hair follicle testing is renowned for its precision and quick turnaround, delivering results that are both accurate and reliable. This testing method excels at detecting a wide array of substances, ensuring that employers receive trustworthy data to maintain a drug-free environment. With its swift processes, businesses can make informed decisions without delay.

Employers benefit from the fast and reliable results provided by hair follicle tests, which underscore the effectiveness of this method in identifying substance use. These tests analyze collected samples rapidly, ensuring that critical information is available to employers promptly, thus aiding in faster hiring and disciplinary actions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Summit, OK, achieve peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing to enforce drug-free workplace policies. This testing method supports compliance with state and federal regulations, reducing legal risks and fostering a safe work environment. Through comprehensive drug history analysis, companies can ensure their employees adhere to policy expectations.

Reliance on hair testing methods reduces concerns about non-compliance, highlighting a company's commitment to maintaining safety and productivity. By properly managing drug policy adherence, employers enhance employee well-being and workplace safety, leading to improved company morale and performance.

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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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