Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Atoka, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. It offers a comprehensive history of substances by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair. A sample taken close to the scalp can offer a detection period of roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (resembling the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for accuracy is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is an option. The term "head hair" pertains strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four cardinal phases in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This entails ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary inspection for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to identify drug use in most samples, a positive finding must be confirmed for court acceptance. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

When a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for further processing in Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair in significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening is notably challenging.

Any positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive specimens are washed pre-confirmation where necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests detect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are notably hard to manipulate, enhancing accuracy.
• Captures usage history: It furnishes a timeline of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than other drug testing options.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In West Atoka, OK, hair follicle testing offers advantages over urine tests. Its longer detection span and superior accuracy provide a clearer view of substance use history. Employers value hair tests for their reliability, while urine tests might miss long-term use.

Why Choose Hair Testing:

• Comprehensive detection over 90 days.
• Stronger reliability and accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in West Atoka, OK allows for drug use detection over a 90-day period, offering employers a detailed view of an individual’s history. This extended window ensures a comprehensive understanding of their substance use.

Key Features:

• Extended detection window up to 90 days.
• Detailed historical substance usage data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Choose hair follicle testing in West Atoka, OK for a tamper-resistant method. Its efficient approach minimizes risks of sample tampering, providing a reliable outcome that stands out against adulteration attempts.

Advantages:

• Greatly reduces chance of cheating.
• Produces trustworthy results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing facilitates easy access in West Atoka, OK, with nationwide centers. This convenience ensures swift and hassle-free testing services, meeting the needs of individuals and companies alike.

Convenience and Coverage:

• Extensive network of testing locations.
• Quick and simple testing access.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process in West Atoka, OK is both simple and confidential. Clients find comfort in our privacy assurances, from test order to result delivery, ensuring a seamless experience.

Process Highlights:

• Simplified, confidential testing procedures.
• Prioritizing privacy and ease throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in West Atoka, OK offers competitive pricing and fast results. Our affordable options and efficient service deliver excellent value, catering to businesses of different scales.

Our Offering:

• Attractive pricing structure.
• Quick turnaround times for results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test stands out in West Atoka, OK for its speed and accuracy. Its precision surpasses traditional methods, delivering prompt and reliable results that enhance confidence in detecting substance use, ensuring a thorough assessment.

Benefits of Hair Follicle Testing:

• High precision and quick results.
• Unmatched accuracy for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in West Atoka, OK ensure compliance with hair follicle testing, maintaining drug-free workplaces. This testing method boosts safety and reduces legal liabilities, granting companies assurance.

Employer Benefits:

• Supports drug-free workplace policies.
• Minimizes legal risks and enhances safety.

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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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