Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains biomarkers within its strands, providing a detailed record of alcohol and drug usage. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal usage patterns for up to about three months regarding alcohol and drugs. This method of collection is easy, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to send.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil and comprising around 200 strands, yields 100mg, which is the perfect amount for both screening and verification. For tests involving EtG additions or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair should be collected. By head hair, we specify scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other hair types like facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory process for a drug test result consists of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first phase, which integrates a sample into a lab's system. This step includes ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary check for the presence of drugs. It's a cost-efficient method to mostly exclude drug usage, but any positive results require confirmation to be valid legally. Samples that screen positive need further confirmation.
Samples flagged as positive during Screening are prepared for Extraction, using additional hair from the original sample. During Extraction, drug substances are retrieved at lower concentrations from hair than from other substances like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
To confirm positive results from Screening, techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Before confirmation, all samples positively flagged are cleansed as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: "Hair follicle tests" is a common misnomer since the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing in Belmont, AL offers an edge over traditional urine tests.
As required by many employers and legal entities, hair testing meets stringent zero-tolerance policies with confidence.
Hair follicle tests in Belmont, AL present an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days. This prolonged timeframe provides employers in-depth insights into an individual's substance use history.
Such broad analysis offers a comprehensive view, enabling informed decisions about applicants or employees.
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces tampering risks in Belmont, AL. An undeniable method, it ensures sample authenticity, providing employers with unquestionable results.
Minimizing the chance of sample adulteration, this approach secures integrity and reliability in drug screening.
With nationwide facilities, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience in Belmont, AL. Easy access to testing ensures services are quick and hassle-free, catering to varied needs effectively.
Local centers offer accessibility for seamless testing processes, enhancing the overall experience.
Accredited's process in Belmont, AL, is simple and confidential. Ease and privacy are prioritized from order to result, addressing any concerns about privacy violations.
User-friendly steps ensure clients experience a streamlined procedure, maintaining confidentiality at every stage.
Our competitive pricing in Belmont, AL emphasizes affordable testing with rapid turnaround times. Excellent value and prompt results benefit companies of all sizes, reinforcing cost-effectiveness.
Affordable rates coupled with efficient processes ensure satisfaction for businesses seeking dependable drug testing solutions.
In Belmont, AL, hair follicle testing stands out for its speed and precise detection capabilities in revealing substance use. The method's high accuracy offers confidence in test results, ensuring efficient identification of drug presence.
Employers benefit from rapid, reliable results that the hair follicle method provides, minimizing delay and maximizing productivity.
Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies in Belmont, AL. Reducing legal risks, it fosters a safe working environment and offers peace of mind for employers.
Enhanced safety protocols and reliable screening contribute to improved work conditions and policy adherence.