Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Zeb, OK

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged usage history of various substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the strand as it grows. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection span of up to 90 days for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

Securing a 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides about 100mg, an optimal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests that surpass 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is suggested. We advise weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be used. In reference to head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Four key procedures comprise the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial entry of a specimen into a lab system. This step involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary assessment for drugs of misuse. Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen demands confirmation to hold up in judicial scenarios. Any samples testing positive in Screening necessitate secondary validation.

In instances of presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, substances are separated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), rendering hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Positive results from screening are affirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized 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 determine drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to tamper: Tampering with hair drug tests is challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical data provision: It reveals drug usage patterns over time, rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Zeb, OK, hair follicle testing is preferred over urine testing due to its superior ability to track substance use history. Hair tests identify long-term drug use better than urine tests, making them the top choice for thorough and accurate screening.

The benefits of hair testing include:

• Longer detection periods compared to urine tests.
• Higher reliability and accuracy.
• More difficult to alter or tamper with.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Zeb, OK appreciate hair follicle drug testing for its extended detection window, up to 90 days. This allows them to gain a comprehensive view of an employee or candidate's history with substance use.

Key benefits:

• Detects drug use over longer periods.
• Provides a thorough insight into substance history.
• Effective for pre-employment and routine checks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Zeb, OK significantly minimize the risk of tampering, offering highly reliable and trustworthy results. Their resistance to manipulation makes them a preferred choice for accurate substance detection.

Important features include:

• Difficult to adulterate or alter samples.
• Provides conclusive results you can trust.
• Ensures peace of mind with its tamper-resistant nature.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Zeb, OK, and nationwide, our testing centers provide accessibility and convenience, enabling hassle-free drug testing services. This ensures swift and seamless testing procedures without geographic barriers.

Highlights:

• Extensive network of testing locations.
• Convenient for both employers and individuals.
• Streamlined access to testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for ordering and completing hair follicle tests in Zeb, OK is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease for users. Our simple procedures address privacy concerns effectively.

Process benefits:

• Easy to order and understand.
• Confidentiality guaranteed throughout.
• Clear instructions and quick access to results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Zeb, OK provide excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from our affordable rates and speedy processing.

Secure these advantages:

• Cost-effective testing solutions.
• Prompt result delivery.
• Great value for reliable testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Zeb, OK is renowned for its rapid and precise results, offering unmatched accuracy in drug detection. This testing method stands out for its ability to deliver fast and reliable outcomes, essential for effective substance use management.

Advantages include:

• Quick result turnaround.
• High precision in detecting various substances.
• Efficient processing ensuring timely results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Zeb, OK ensures employers fulfill compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances safety at work, offering peace of mind.

Benefits for employers:

• Reliable policy compliance.
• Decreased legal liability.
• Safer, drug-free work 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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