Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Verdigris, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now seen as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands preserve a history of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers in their growing fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair offers up to roughly a 90-day detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is easy, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of nearly 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair signifies all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of preparing a drug test outcome in the lab involves four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails initially organizing a sample into a lab system. This step involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry that an electronic chain of custody system did not provide.

Screening consists of an initial, swift check for drugs of abuse. Screening is a budget-friendly method to rule out drug usage in most samples, but a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples suspected to be positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Preparation. In this stage, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the hardest method to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any suspected positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenges in cheating: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, resulting in more authentic outcomes.
• Tracking historical data: It can document drug use trends over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Verdigris, OK, hair follicle testing offers superior benefits compared to urine tests. One primary advantage is the detection accuracy over long periods, making it reliable for identifying past substance use. This accuracy enables employers to make well-informed decisions.

While urine testing is limited to recent use, hair follicle tests provide an in-depth view, ensuring that employers have a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance history, making it an essential tool in the recruitment process.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in Verdigris, OK, is its extended detection window. It can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, making it a profound choice for businesses wanting to assess an individual's history.

This significant window allows employers to gain a fuller understanding of a candidate or employee's substance use history, which is especially beneficial in industries where safety and reliability are critical.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing process in Verdigris, OK, is designed to mitigate tampering risks, promising reliable results. This method makes it significantly harder for individuals to alter or contaminate samples, unlike more traditional methods such as urine testing.

This level of integrity in testing ensures the results are trustworthy and can be relied upon, providing confidence to both employers and employees in the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Verdigris, OK, offers the convenience of nationwide testing locations, ensuring individuals and businesses have easy access to services. This expansive network makes testing hassle-free, with centers situated across major cities.

Local inhabitants can easily find nearby testing sites, ensuring access is never a problem. This streamlined approach enhances the overall process, making it user-friendly and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Verdigris, OK, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are designed to prioritize privacy, ensuring individuals' information is protected at all stages.

This approach addresses potential concerns surrounding privacy, providing an effortless experience from start to finish, so users feel secure and comfortable with the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, the hair follicle testing in Verdigris, OK, provides excellent value for companies. Our competitive pricing structures make these services accessible to businesses of all sizes.

With quick result times and unbeatable prices, this approach allows organizations to confidently plan their operations, knowing they'll receive timely and economical service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Verdigris, OK, hair follicle drug tests boast impressive precision and speed. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy in uncovering substance use. The rapid turnaround time ensures that individuals and organizations receive results swiftly, allowing them to make informed decisions promptly.

The method involves a streamlined process that leaves no room for error, significantly reducing the chances of false positives. This precision ensures reliable and consistent results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Verdigris, OK, benefit significantly from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances overall safety, offering peace of mind and a safer work environment.

By adopting hair testing, employers can be confident in promoting a safer workplace, thus fostering an atmosphere of trust and well-being among employees.

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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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