Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands, hair offers a prolonged history of substance usage. When obtained close to the scalp, it can reveal alcohol and drug presence for up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields around 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. 'Head hair' pertains specifically to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other varieties (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing drug test outcomes involve four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's framework. This process includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes a preliminary review for drug misuse indicators. While Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in most cases, a positive outcome requires further confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples testing positive on a preliminary basis during Screening require additional verification.
Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from hair at concentrations far lower than other methods (such as urine or saliva tests), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.
Verification of any positive preliminary screening result is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the focus is on analyzing the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
Hair testing in Calera, AL surpasses urine samples in both detection fidelity and reliability. While urine analyses may detect recent usage, hair offers a broader detection window.
Employers benefit from its ability to track substance use over an extended period, presenting a comprehensive overview not achievable with urine testing alone.
Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle screenings in Calera, AL can track substance usage up to 90 days prior, providing employers insight into an individual's drug habits over a longer duration.
This broad detection capability enables companies to gain a thorough understanding of a candidate's substance history, aiding better-informed hiring decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle testing in Calera, AL is a robust method against sample tampering, securing unimpeachable results. Unlike urine tests, it minimizes risk of deceit, offering confidence in the outcomes.
Organizations can trust in this technique's ability to deliver trustworthy results free from adulteration, ensuring peace of mind.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
In Calera, AL, our extensive network of testing centers offers hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, ensuring prompt service wherever needed.
Our nation's spread of facilities guarantees ease and convenience for individuals and companies seeking reliable testing.
Simple, Confidential Process
The process for hair testing in Calera, AL is both straightforward and private, from order to test to result. This ease fosters user confidence in maintaining discretion while obtaining necessary insights.
We safeguard privacy throughout the process, addressing any confidentiality concerns effectively.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Offering competitive prices with rapid response times, our Calera, AL facilities deliver excellent value, accommodating businesses of various scales.
Efficiency in our process ensures companies receive prompt results without compromising on cost-effectiveness or service quality.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Calera, AL, hair follicle analysis offers remarkable precision and rapid results, ensuring a reliable measure of drug usage. Its heightened accuracy in detecting substances positions it above traditional techniques.
The speed coupled with accuracy means employers and individuals receive trustworthy results swiftly, reducing potential downtime and providing a clearer view of one's substance history.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle analyses in Calera, AL ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It mitigates legal risks while enhancing workplace security.
By adhering to these tests, employers cultivate a safer and legally compliant environment, reducing potential liabilities.
