Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tatums, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record over time for alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands' fibers. By collecting hair near the scalp, it offers a detection period extending up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. The process of collecting hair is uncomplicated, tampering is fairly challenging, and transportation is straightforward.

An optimal sample includes a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analysis, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, similar amounts of body hair may be gathered. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four principal steps in processing drug test results at the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage, involving registering a sample into the lab system. Tasks include confirming that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a discrete LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any required data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial check for substances of abuse. Although economical for excluding drug usage in most samples, any positive screens necessitate confirmation for court acceptability. Any potentially positive findings from Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

For samples testing potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of conducting hair drug screening.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed for confirming any positive results from the screening. Necessary cleaning of any indicative positive samples occurs before confirmation. The full laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is validated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a narrower detection span.
• Difficult to deceive: It is quite challenging to rig a hair drug test, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Offers longitudinal data: It can illustrate drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot track recent use: There is a 5-7-day delay before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite the common reference as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Tatums, OK, hair follicle testing significantly outperforms conventional urine testing due to its enhanced detection capability. While urine tests offer limited windows for detection, hair analysis checks for drug presence over a longer term. Hair tests capture a wide range of substances, with an unparalleled accuracy level, providing reliable results. Remarkably challenging to alter, it supports comprehensive evaluation in a variety of settings.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Tatums, OK, unveils substance usage over extended periods, up to 90 days. This extensive detection window gives employers a thorough preview of an individual's drug use history. Providing clarity on the applicant or employee's background, it assists companies in making more informed hiring decisions. This long-term screening responds to critical workplace needs for rigorous substance assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The method of hair follicle testing in Tatums, OK, reduces the likelihood of sample tampering. With a hair sample, the potential for adulteration nearly disappears, securing reliable outcomes. Using advanced procedures, hair tests ensure unquestionable results for a variety of contexts. Employing this technique guarantees that the integrity of the testing process remains uncompromised.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing locations in Tatums, OK, offer convenient accessibility, part of an extensive nationwide network. This widespread presence ensures straightforward access to secure and reliable testing services. Whether local or national, the ease of finding a suitable testing center reduces delays and enhances overall efficiency, offering a hassle-free experience for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Clients appreciate the simplicity and confidentiality of the hair follicle testing process in Tatums, OK. From request handling to obtaining results, everything is streamlined and private. This process not only secures privacy but also assures those taking the test that their information remains protected. As personal data is handled discreetly, the ease of the process garners trust and satisfaction from all stakeholders.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability meets efficiency with quick turnaround times in our hair follicle testing services in Tatums, OK. Providing excellent value ensures peace of mind for businesses of varied sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. Timely results coupled with competitive pricing enhance the overall benefit for companies prioritizing accurate and cost-effective substance testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle testing in Tatums, OK, provide unparalleled accuracy. Hair tests swiftly pinpoint substance use, ensuring reliable results. Recognized for their high detection rate, these tests deliver a rapid and effective solution. Offering both speed and reliability, hair follicle analysis offers a trustworthy method for verifying substance use in any context.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By implementing hair follicle testing in Tatums, OK, employers find assurance in workplace compliance with drug-free policies. This method nurtures a safe environment while mitigating legal risks associated with substance abuse. Safeguarding protocol helps cement trust, fostering a dedicated workplace culture committed to safety and wellbeing. Employers thus achieve peace of mind by leveraging this reliable method.

Drug Testing Near Tatums, OK

Davis, OK

Purdy, OK

Ketchum, OK

Healdton, OK

Loco, OK

Oil City, OK

Velma-Alma, OK

Velma, OK

Elmore City, OK

Foster, OK

Katie, OK

Fox, OK

Hennepin, OK

Pernell, OK

Ratliff City, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews