Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sweetwater, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means of detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands of the growing hair. When cut closely from the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month timeframe for identifying alcohol and drug presence. Hair is effortless to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample for testing and validation. For EtG, supplementary, and/or over 10-panel tests, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is lacking, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types like facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry not handled by an electronic custody system.

Screening consists of a rapid initial assessment for drug use. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug consumption on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate another confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the primary sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration than with other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably complex.

Verification of any positive screen result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumed positive are washed preceding confirmation when required. The entirety of the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in compliance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: It's very challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a history of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle inside the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sweetwater, OK

In Sweetwater, OK, hair testing outshines traditional urine tests in terms of detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests broaden the detection window and reduce the likelihood of tampering. This offers a decisive edge over conventional urine tests, ultimately providing more robust and dependable results for those who require them.

• Superior detection capabilities.
• More reliable overall.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sweetwater, OK

Hair follicle testing in Sweetwater, OK, provides an extended detection range of up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. This extended surveillance period allows for better-informed decisions regarding potential candidates or current employees.

• Detection duration of up to 90 days.
• In-depth historical substance use data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sweetwater, OK

Hair follicle testing in Sweetwater, OK, is highly resistant to tampering, ensuring the integrity of each sample collected. This characteristic enhances the test's reliability, providing indisputable results and significantly lowering the chances of adulteration compared to other testing methods.

• Reliable sample integrity.
• Minimized risk of tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Sweetwater, OK

Our network in Sweetwater, OK, offers nationwide and local testing locations, making it convenient for clients to access drug testing services. Quick, hassle-free access to these centers ensures a smooth process from start to finish.

• Multiple convenient locations.
• Hassle-free access.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sweetwater, OK

The hair follicle testing process in Sweetwater, OK, is both straightforward and confidential. From order placement to testing and result retrieval, each step prioritizes privacy and ease, addressing user concerns over confidentiality and convenience effectively.

• Easy and discreet process.
• Prioritizes user privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sweetwater, OK

In Sweetwater, OK, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing with rapid turnaround times. This provides excellent value for businesses of any size, ensuring peace of mind with efficient and cost-effective testing solutions.

• Cost-effective options.
• Quick result delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sweetwater, OK

In Sweetwater, OK, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precise and swift results. With superior accuracy, these tests reliably identify substance use. Their speed and efficiency make them an ideal choice for those seeking fast turnaround times without sacrificing reliability.

• High precision in detecting substances.
• Reliable outcomes for all testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sweetwater, OK

Employers in Sweetwater, OK, benefit from hair follicle testing as it ensures adherence to drug-free policies, reducing legal risks. This testing method contributes to workplace safety, fostering a compliant and dependable work environment for employers and employees alike.

• Enhances workplace safety.
• Decreases legal liabilities.

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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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