Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a robust technique for identifying drug and alcohol use. It offers a lengthy record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the hair strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Gathering a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or examinations above 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process of initially handling a sample when it enters the laboratory system. This involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any needed data entry not handled by the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary test for drugs of abuse. While it is an economical method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, any positive screening outcomes must be verified to be legally admissible. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample test tentatively positive at the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other means (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to execute.
Any positive screening result is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and under the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing is increasingly favored in Arab, AL, as it outperforms traditional urine tests. Employers and professionals in the substance use field are adopting this method due to its various benefits.
Compared to urine tests, hair testing offers superior accuracy and detection capability.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is unmatched in Arab, AL. This method uncovers drug use across up to 90 days, offering a thorough profile of an individual's substance usage.
For tamper-resistant drug testing, hair follicle testing in Arab, AL, offers unparalleled reliability.
In Arab, AL, convenient testing is a reality with numerous test centers Nationwide. Our accessible locations provide quick and effortless access to testing services.
Arab, AL, offers a straightforward and private testing process. Hair follicle testing is simplified so that users can order, conduct, and receive results effortlessly.
In Arab, AL, affordability meets expedited service with hair follicle testing. Our cost-effective pricing since it is tailored to suit diverse needs.
In Arab, AL, when fast and accurate results are paramount, hair follicle drug testing stands out.
Employers in Arab, AL, achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Implementing this method ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies.
