Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Union City, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition for its efficacy in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When clipped close to the scalp, hair samples can reveal substance usage over approximately 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering with samples is challenging, and shipping is convenient.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil’s thickness) near the scalp offers about 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, and tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. The use of a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample is advisable. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be used. By ‘head hair,’ we mean hair from the scalp exclusively. ‘Body hair’ encompasses all other types of hair (like facial hair, underarm hair, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in the lab is divided into four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves introducing a sample into the lab system. It consists of ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic tracking system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for eliminating drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result require further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drug extraction occurs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or saliva tests), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples deemed presumptively positive are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. Throughout the laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, the work is conducted in adherence to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: The difficulty in tampering with a hair drug test increases the accuracy of results.
• Historical usage patterns: It can reveal drug use patterns over time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• No detection for recent usage: Drugs typically take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to alternative testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Variables including hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the procedure actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Union City, OK

Hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities and reliability. With a longer detection period, it ensures a more accurate assessment of historical substance use. This makes it a preferred choice over traditional urine tests in Union City, OK, ensuring more robust drug use evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Union City, OK

Hair follicle testing provides a significantly extended detection window, offering insights into drug use over the past 90 days. This prolonged window equips employers in Union City, OK, with detailed information on an applicant or employee's substance habits, going beyond the limitations of other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Union City, OK

Hair follicle testing in Union City, OK, minimizes the chance of tampering, guaranteeing authentic results. Its tamper-resistant nature eliminates the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring that the outcomes are both credible and unaffected by external manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Union City, OK

Taking advantage of Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including Union City, OK, facilitates effortless access to testing services. This widespread availability ensures timely, convenient, and straightforward service for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Union City, OK

The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and private. In Union City, OK, individuals can rest assured of the confidentiality and simplicity of the procedure, catering to privacy concerns and ensuring user-friendly access.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Union City, OK

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing alongside quick processing times in Union City, OK. This combination provides excellent value and assurance for businesses of varying sizes, endorsing rapid service delivery without compromising on cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Union City, OK

Hair follicle drug tests offer immediate, precise, and trustworthy results in Union City, OK. They are particularly known for their ability to accurately detect substance use, providing clear evidence of an individual's drug history. This reliability makes them an excellent choice for situations requiring rapid and conclusive outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Union City, OK

Utilizing hair follicle testing provides employers with adherence to drug-free workplace policies, significantly mitigating legal risks and bolstering safety. In Union City, OK, this method delivers peace of mind, ensuring compliance and fostering a secure working environment.

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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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