Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Vera, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the developing hair fiber. When collected near the scalp, it can reveal up to a 3-month period of drug and alcohol use. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing around 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for evaluation and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10-panel assessments, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We advise measuring the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be taken. Scalp hair specifically denotes hair from the head, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory procedure encompasses four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample within a lab's workflow. This consists of confirming the proper seal and shipping of the sample, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial quick analysis for substances of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid for legal matters. Any samples with presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate additional verification.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are thoroughly washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can reveal drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect over shorter periods.
• Challenging to deceive: Hair tests are difficult to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical usage data: It can outline a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Detection in hair requires roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair testing typically costs more compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Vera, OK residents are discovering the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, hair tests provide a reliable assessment of an individual's drug use history, offering peace of mind for employers.

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing is less prone to manipulation. Additionally, it offers an unmatched detection period, which uncovers substance use that might have gone unnoticed with urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In Vera, OK, hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.

By capturing a longer period of potential substance abuse, employers can make informed decisions about applicants or employees, ensuring a safer and more secure workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Vera, OK is a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures the reliability and credibility of the results.

Employers can trust the integrity of hair tests, as these are not easily alterable, offering conclusive and unquestionable outcomes for drug testing requirements.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Vera, OK, ensures easy access to our services. Accredited Drug Testing centers are readily available, providing hassle-free testing experiences.

Our extensive network allows clients to access testing services promptly, ensuring that scheduling and completing necessary tests is never a burden.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Vera, OK, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, our streamlined approach respects individuals' privacy and maintains ease of use.

Clients can rely on a straightforward process that caters to their needs without compromising personal confidentiality, making the experience smooth and reassuring.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround in Vera, OK, providing firms with affordable options and reliable results.

Our cost-effective solutions and efficient service delivery ensure excellent value for companies of all sizes, fostering peace of mind and confidence in their employee screening processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results in Vera, OK. These tests excel in detecting substance use with high accuracy, minimizing errors and ensuring trust in the process.

Employers benefit from the rapid turnaround of hair follicle testing, gaining insights into drug use with minimal delay. This combination of speed and precision makes it an invaluable tool for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Vera, OK, compliance and peace of mind are assured with hair follicle testing. This method supports drug-free workplace policies and reduced legal liabilities.

By minimizing the risk of drug-related incidents, employers enhance workplace safety and productivity, offering a secure environment for all employees while reducing legal risks.

Drug Testing Near Vera, OK

Turley, OK

Valley Park, OK

Owasso, OK

Oglesby, OK

Sperry, OK

Ochelata, OK

Limestone, OK

Talala, OK

Skiatook, OK

Avant, OK

Oolagah-Talala, OK

Oologah, OK

Collinsville, OK

Ramona, OK

North Tulsa, 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