Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Trail, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is a widely recognized method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. By obtaining samples near the scalp, hair can reveal consumption over roughly a three-month period for alcohol and various drugs. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing around 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is advised. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair might be used. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Four principal phases are involved in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This involves confirming that the sample was sealed and transported suitably, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not available from an electronic custody chain system.

Screening involves a preliminary check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be admissible in legal settings. Any presumptively positive samples in Screening require a secondary verification.

If a sample is presumed positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, substances are removed from hair at a significantly lower concentration than with other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methods to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The thorough 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 window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to trick: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thus results are more reliable.
• Offers historical data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over a duration, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in findings: Aspects such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Trail, OK, stands out due to its enhanced detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests have been the norm, hair tests offer a wider detection window, improving reliability. The hair method is less prone to tampering, giving employers more confidence in the results.
Benefits:

• Greater accuracy over time
• Reduced risk of tampering
• Superior reliability

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Trail, OK provides a view into drug use spanning up to 90 days. This method offers employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, making it invaluable for assessing applicants or monitoring employees.
The extended timeline surpasses other testing methods, allowing for more informed decisions that foster a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is a tamper-resistant method, reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration. In Trail, OK, this provides employers with the assurance of consistent and accurate results. Because manipulation is extremely difficult, cheating the test becomes almost impossible.
This feature positions hair testing as a trustworthy choice, essential for employers who value integrity and precision in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Across Trail, OK, and beyond, our nationwide testing locations offer convenience with accessibility. With numerous centers, getting a test done is quick and straightforward.

• Easy access to testing services
• Streamlined and hassle-free

Simple, Confidential Process

In Trail, OK, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is managed with user privacy in mind. Clients can trust that their information is handled discreetly.
Emphasizing ease and confidentiality, the process minimizes concerns around data privacy and offers a seamless user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing services in Trail, OK deliver fast turnaround times, providing great value for all company sizes. The affordability paired with rapid results ensures that businesses can maintain policies without significant expense.
This cost-effective solution means businesses can continue enforcing drug-free environments without compromising on speed or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Trail, OK, hair follicle testing offers unparalleled precision and speed. With high accuracy in detecting substance use, it surpasses traditional methods. The results are fast, ensuring timely decisions, which is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace environment. The reliability of hair follicle tests makes them the top choice for employers seeking quick and accurate substance detection.
Hair follicle tests are non-invasive and provide comprehensive insights, ensuring that employers in Trail, OK receive reliable data swiftly. Their rapid processing and accurate results eliminate delays, thus supporting businesses in maintaining drug-free policies effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Trail, OK, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks, employers can maintain a safer environment. The reliable results provide reassurance that policies are upheld.
Using such accurate testing methods reinforces company standards, creating a sound basis for harmonious and secure work settings.

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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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