Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Woods, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a vital resource for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand, providing a lengthy historical record of alcohol and other drugs. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to measure the sample is suggested. If head hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a specimen within a lab system. This step includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that wasn't supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that show a presumptively positive result in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptively positive result in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleaned prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenges in deception: It is notably difficult to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a drug use pattern over a duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests in West Woods, OK, the former stands out for superior detection and accuracy. Traditional urine tests, although common, have noticeable limitations in their detection windows. In contrast, hair testing addresses these by providing a more encompassing evaluation of substance use. Consequently, it presents a more detailed account of drug consumption patterns, offering significant advantages over conventional urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in West Woods, OK offers an extended detection window that enriches the perspective on substance use over time. This method traces drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike the brief period covered by urine tests. For employers, this detailed view translates to a thorough assessment of an applicant or employee's substance history, facilitating informed hiring and personnel management decisions, ensuring workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In terms of security, hair follicle testing in West Woods, OK greatly diminishes the likelihood of tampering or fraud. This reliable method offers assurances that cannot be matched by urine tests, which may be susceptible to adulteration. By securing rock-solid results, it fosters trust in testing outcomes, proving indispensable for employers and judicial systems seeking unquestionable data on substance use, thus maintaining high standards of accuracy and integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience through numerous testing centers nationwide, including West Woods, OK. Our wide-reaching network facilitates easy access to drug testing services wherever needed. This geographic flexibility ensures that clients can access testing without delay or inconvenience, aligning with demands for swift service in a fast-paced world while maintaining the highest standards.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in West Woods, OK is designed to be both straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting the sample and receiving the results, each step prioritizes client privacy and ease of use. This streamlined approach alleviates concerns about taking tests, making them user-friendly and accessible, while firmly addressing privacy expectations and ensuring discreet handling of sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in West Woods, OK provides a balance of affordability and speed. Competitive pricing paired with swift result delivery underscores our commitment to value and efficiency. Catering to businesses of all scales, this blend offers considerable benefits, easing expenditure burdens while guaranteeing timely information flow, which is crucial for effective decision-making in today's dynamic business environments.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in West Woods, OK provide quick and precise results. These tests boast high accuracy in identifying substance use, delivering dependable insights. Employers and individuals can rely on these tests to quickly and accurately report drug use, allowing timely interventions and informed decision-making. In comparison with traditional methods, hair follicle testing ensures speediness without sacrificing its exceptional precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in West Woods, OK find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, thanks to its compliance assurance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing not only mitigates legal liabilities but also creates a safer work environment. By employing hair testing, organizations can uphold stringent drug-use policies and safeguard their interests, all while reinforcing their commitment to employee health and corporate responsibility.

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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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