Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wright City, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a potent resource for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an enduring record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, equates to 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen mass of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we speak of head hair, we mean exclusively scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair varieties (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be corroborated for legal acceptability. Any samples testing positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample prove positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than those in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screen result occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection span.
• Challenging to evade: It is extremely challenging to circumvent a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Wright City, OK, greatly surpasses traditional urine analysis in multiple aspects. The primary advantage includes detection over a long period, offering a more comprehensive substance use history.

• Broader detection window
• Reduced chance of falsification

Extended Detection Window

One of the key successes of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days, making it extremely valuable in Wright City, OK. This allows employers to observe an employee's or applicant’s substance use history over a longer time frame.Unmatched detection period ensures a deeper understanding of substance use behavior, aiding in better workforce management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Security in drug testing is crucial, and Wright City, OK, benefits vastly from hair follicle testing due to its tamper-resistant nature. Reducing the risk of sample adulteration provides results that are virtually irrefutable. Unlike other methods, hair testing delivers reliable data you can trust, crucial for maintaining integrity in workplace drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing centers, Wright City, OK, residents have easy access to hair follicle testing services. Our strategically placed locations ensure a hassle-free experience, making it simple for individuals and companies to utilize our comprehensive testing solutions at their convenience without extended travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process for hair follicle testing in Wright City, OK, is simple and confidential, designed with user privacy in mind.

• Easy ordering and appointment scheduling
• Private and efficient testing
• Secure delivery of results

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and swift turnaround distinguish our hair follicle testing services in Wright City, OK. We offer competitive rates without compromising the quality and speed of our services, providing exceptional value for organizations of all sizes. Quick delivery of results ensures prompt decision-making, an asset in maintaining an efficient workplace.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swift results afforded by hair follicle drug testing distinguish it as a leading method in Wright City, OK. High accuracy in detecting substance use is a hallmark of these tests. Employers can confidently rely on the results to identify substance use among employees or applicants. Additionally, hair testing ensures speed, reducing the wait for critical information necessary for informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Wright City, OK, presents a secure method to comply with drug-free workplace policies. Ensuring legal and policy compliance diminishes potential workplace disputes and enhances safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their testing protocol minimizes risks and upholds a safe 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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