Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can archive a prolonged trace of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of a developing hair fiber. When taken from the area near the scalp, a hair specimen can reveal evidence of alcohol and drugs over nearly a 3-month span. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.
A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hair fibers (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) adjacent to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary assessments, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise gauging the sample weight with a jeweler's balance. If scalp hair is lacking, a comparable amount of body hair might be used for testing. Mentioning head hair implies referring to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing lab procedure encompasses four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a specimen within a laboratory's framework. This step includes affirming that the specimen was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid verification for illicit substances. Although Screening offers an economical method to exclude drug consumption in most specimens, a positive Screening outcome must be substantiated to be permissible in legal contexts. Samples with presupposed positive results in Screening require additional authentication.
For a specimen showing presupposed positive results in the Screening phase, extra hair is sourced from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than those in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis represents one of the most challenging methodologies.
Validating any positive Screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presupposed positive specimens undergo cleansing before confirmation as required. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp
In Akron, AL, the preference for hair follicle testing over urine testing continues to grow, primarily due to superior detection accuracy. Traditional urine tests fall short in comparison to the accuracy that hair sampling provides.
Hair follicle testing offers reliable detection over extended periods, unlike urine tests. With a longer history of detection, employers gain a more comprehensive insight into substance use, ensuring greater workplace safety.
In Akron, AL, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, identifying drug usage over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This provides employers with a complete view of a candidate's or employee's substance history.
The extensive detection timeframe of hair tests is hugely beneficial to employers needing a detailed understanding of drug use patterns over time, aiding informed hiring and retention choices.
Hair follicle testing in Akron, AL, is recognized for being tamper-resistant, reducing adulteration risks and providing credible results. Unlike other testing methods, tampering with hair samples is significantly harder.
The reliability of hair testing means employers can trust the results without concerns about sample manipulation, ensuring authenticity and trustworthiness in drug screening processes.
Convenience in Akron, AL, is paramount with our extensive network of testing locations nationwide. This ensures quick, hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services for individuals and organizations alike.
The local and national presence of testing centers guarantees seamless support and accessibility, meeting diverse testing needs with ease around the clock.
In Akron, AL, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and convenience. From ordering to results reception, the process prioritizes user discretion and ease of use.
Users can trust that their information remains secure throughout the testing, with a streamlined process that ensures confidentiality and efficiency from start to finish.
Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times in Akron, AL, our hair follicle testing provides excellent value. Competitive pricing structures ensure cost-effectiveness for businesses of all sizes.
The quick processing of tests helps manage corporate budgets while maintaining the high standards necessary for quality workplace screening, offering dependable results rapidly.
In Akron, AL, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results, ensuring high precision in detecting substance use. Unlike traditional tests, hair analysis is not only swift but also exceptionally thorough, offering certainty when determining drug use.
The accuracy of hair follicle testing surpasses other methodologies, especially when timely and precise detection is vital. This ensures employers receive dependable information concisely for quick decisions.
For Akron employers, hair follicle testing offers compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety. This method ensures adherence to regulations while safeguarding employee well-being.
Using hair testing helps maintain company policies' integrity, ensuring peace of mind with tested and true methods of substance detection that support zero-tolerance environments.
