Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Temple, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective tool for identifying substance and alcohol intake. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, it can reveal substance and alcohol use over a roughly three-month period. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and confirming. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests above ten panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, yet a positive screen must be established to be valid in a legal context. Samples that are initially positive in Screening require further Confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and set up for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are drawn from hair in a significantly lower concentration compared to other practices (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: It is very challenging to circumvent a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can present a usage pattern of substances over a time frame, and not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It typically requires 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual variances in hair growth can influence the concentration of substance metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Temple, OK, hair follicle testing stands out against urine testing due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a longer detection window and a higher degree of certainty, offering advantages over conventional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Temple, OK, give a broader view of substance use with a 90-day detection window. This long period offers employers detailed insights into the substance history of employees or applicants, enhancing decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Temple, OK, significantly reduces the risk of adulteration. The method's integrity ensures that the results are reliable and beyond question, making it a preferred choice for those seeking tamper-resistant testing solutions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing in Temple, OK, is assured with our nationwide centers. This extensive network guarantees quick and hassle-free access to testing services, adding a layer of ease to obtaining essential drug test results.

Simple, Confidential Process

The testing process in Temple, OK, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to results, it's designed to protect privacy while ensuring an easy user experience, demonstrating our commitment to customer assurance.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Temple, OK, offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests. Our efficient service ensures excellent value and timely results, meeting the needs of businesses regardless of size, providing assurance alongside affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Temple, OK, hair follicle drug tests provide precision and speed, making them an ideal choice for accurate detection of substance use. These tests highlight their high accuracy and efficiency, revealing reliable results that are a testament to their technological advancement. Their ability to promptly offer dependable outcomes makes them invaluable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Temple, OK, benefit from hair follicle tests as they ensure compliance with drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety, offering employers peace of mind through reliable test outcomes.

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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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