Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pinola, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair can provide up to a 3-month period for identifying alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy for transportation.

To obtain an optimal sample for analysis, a 1.5-inch portion comprising about 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp is suggested, yielding 100mg of hair. For tests such as EtG, additional screens, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair specimen is advisable. It is recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If head hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four principal stages including Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial treatment of a sample within a laboratory's system, involving the verification of proper sealing and shipment, allocation of a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data entry beyond what an electronic chain of custody system supplies.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse, serving as a cost-efficient method to negate drug usage across most samples. However, a positive screen should gain confirmation for judicial credibility, necessitating any presumptively positive samples in Screening to undergo additional verification.

Upon identifying a sample as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and subjected to the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a substantially lower concentration relative to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing among the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening occurred using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples may require washing prior to confirmation. The entire laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and via accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to a period of 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Cheat-resistant: Cheating a hair drug test proves quite challenging, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Historical data provision: Offering a usage pattern over time, it extends beyond immediate use detection.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to register in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth variations might impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand itself and not the root beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pinola, MS

• Compared to the traditional urine test, hair follicle testing stands out with enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Its comprehensive analysis and difficulty to tamper make it a superior choice for employers and other entities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Pinola, MS

• Employers benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection capability, which captures drug use up to 90 days back, offering a thorough substance use history check.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pinola, MS

• Hair follicle tests provide a robust defense against sample adulteration, delivering reliable and tamper-resistant results that employers can trust in their evaluation processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pinola, MS

• Our widespread network of testing centers allows easy access for quick and hassle-free testing services for customers across Pinola and beyond.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Pinola, MS

• Enjoy a straightforward and confidential process when ordering, taking, and receiving test results, ensuring client privacy and seamless experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pinola, MS

• Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times underscore our commitment to offering excellent value for businesses of all scales.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pinola, MS

• The precision and rapid response of hair follicle testing ensure highly accurate results. With hair testing, you can expect a dependable assessment of substance use, quickly determining if an individual has used drugs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pinola, MS

• By employing hair follicle testing, employers can uphold strict drug-free workplace policies, ensuring compliance while minimizing legal risks and boosting workplace safety.

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