Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Zena, OK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, it offers a prolonged history of alcohol or drug intake. When hair is collected close to the head, it yields a detection timeline of up to three months for substance use. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is recommended. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If head hair is not an option, the same amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory cycle for processing a drug test involves four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, samples are initially processed into the lab's system. This step involves checking if the sample is properly sealed and transported, creating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input required that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase includes a preliminary examination for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug presence in most samples, confirmation is necessary for legal admissibility of a positive result. Presumptive positive results during Screening require additional confirmation steps.

Should the Screening phase suggest a positive presence, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably reduced concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies.

Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation using either GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. As required, presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a less extensive window.
• High difficulty to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is nearly impossible, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Historic usage data provided: It reveals a usage trend over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variation: Differences in hair color and personal hair growth patterns can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Zena, OK, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. One of the primary benefits is the greater detection accuracy it provides. Unlike urine tests, which target recent usage, hair tests detect extended substance history, making them more reliable.

Urine testing is susceptible to tampering, but hair tests are notably resistant, ensuring validity in results. This makes hair testing the preferred choice among employers and institutions enforcing stringent zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers a remarkable extended detection window of up to 90 days. In Zena, OK, employers capitalize on this benefit to obtain a comprehensive overview of individuals' drug usage. This capability provides invaluable insights into applicants' or employees' lifestyles.

With hair testing, the timeline extends beyond temporary abstinence periods, offering a clearer picture of substance use patterns. This facilitates confident and informed decision-making for both hiring processes and ongoing employee assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Zena, OK, hair follicle tests stand out for their resilience to tampering. Unlike other methods prone to manipulation, hair analysis renders inconclusive results nearly impossible. This trait ensures authenticity in drug screenings.

The integrity of hair follicle testing lies in its tamper-resistant nature. Samples remain uncontaminated throughout the process, fostering trust and reliability in the results provided, enhancing employer confidence in maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Zena, OK, enjoys the convenience of both local and nationwide testing locations through our extensive network. Our services offer clients easy access to hassle-free testing, accomplished swiftly across various centers.

The convenience of nearby testing facilities enables quick and efficient service delivery, ensuring both individuals and organizations can fulfill their testing requirements without delay. This accessibility exemplifies our commitment to streamlined and effective testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Zena, OK, our hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize user-friendly procedures, alleviating any privacy concerns.

Our straightforward approach ensures that clients can navigate the testing process with ease. Discretion is upheld at every step, reinforcing confidence in our services while maintaining the privacy and integrity of client information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, our hair follicle testing services in Zena, OK, provide companies with exceptional value. Our cost-effective solutions do not compromise quality, ensuring businesses benefit from rigorous testing without financial strain.

We pride ourselves on fast turnaround times, delivering rapid and reliable results. This efficiency supports companies of all sizes, promoting a secure and accountable workplace environment at affordable rates.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Zena, OK, the efficiency of hair follicle drug testing is unmatched. The method is distinguished by its precision and speed. Damaging substances are accurately identified, furnishing results that empower employers to maintain drug-free environments swiftly and effectively.

Hair follicle testing is valued for its accuracy in detecting long-term substance use. This method offers a reliable assessment of an individual's drug habits, ensuring workplace safety and fulfilling regulatory compliance effortlessly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Zena, OK, aligns with maintaining workplace safety and peace of mind for employers. This method meets compliance standards effortlessly, reducing legal risks associated with drug policy enforcement.

Implementing such rigorous testing enhances a company's standing, reassuring regulatory bodies of adherence to safe practices. Employers benefit from ensured compliance, mitigating potential liabilities and contributing to a secure 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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