Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to around 3 months for drug and alcohol use. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 strands (roughly #2 pencil-sized) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for initial and confirmed testing. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unattainable, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. Discussions of head hair refer solely to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Lab processing of a drug test result encompasses four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes preliminary processing into the lab's system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data that an electronic chain of custody doesn't cover.
Screening consists of a preliminary drug abuse check. It serves as an economical way to dismiss drug use in most samples, but any positive results need further confirmation to be legally viable. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening demand a second confirmation.
For presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening involves GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the procedure analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Ansley, AL outshines urine tests for various reasons. Its reliable detection reveals substance use over a significantly extended period, ensuring enhanced accuracy.
Urine tests, limited by shorter detection windows, fall behind. Hair tests offer unmatched efficacy even for minimal or infrequent consumption.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing sets it apart in Ansley, AL. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests offer insights into drug use over a 90-day period.
This provides employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance history, crucial for making informed decisions.
In Ansley, AL, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing offers unmatched reliability. Unlike urine tests, this method significantly curtails sample adulteration, ensuring test results remain unaltered and trustworthy.
With convenient locations in Ansley, AL and nationwide, our testing centers ensure quick, hassle-free access. Accredited Drug Testing offers an extensive network, simplifying the process for individuals and businesses alike.
In Ansley, AL, our testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and accessing results is streamlined, guaranteeing ease of use and privacy for clients.
Accredited Drug Testing in Ansley, AL offers competitive pricing models paired with fast turnaround times. This combination ensures cost-effectiveness and rapid service, granting companies confidence and value for their investments.
In Ansley, AL, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug testing are unparalleled. These tests offer high accuracy in identifying substance use, surpassing traditional methods in reliability.
The meticulous procedures ensure results are swift yet thorough, guaranteeing that each test captures truthful data.
Adopting hair follicle testing in Ansley, AL fosters compliance and peace of mind for employers. It aligns perfectly with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and fortifying workplace safety.
