Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cherokee, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a record of alcohol and drug intake over time by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over a span of up to three months. Hair sampling is easy to perform, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) gathered from close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmatory purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a quantity of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially integrated into the laboratory’s framework. This phase includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional necessary information not captured by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Despite being a cost-effective means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen mandates further confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that show a presumptive positive during Screening will require additional confirmation.

When a sample is marked presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), marking hair drug screening as one of the more complex methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples labeled as presumptive positive undergo a washing process prior to confirmation when necessary. The laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, aligns with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation standards and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can reveal drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Chronological data: It serves to illustrate a drug consumption pattern over time, rather than recent usage only.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: A period of about 5-7 days is needed for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug assessments tend to be pricier than other drug evaluation methods.
• Result variability: Parameters like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the assessment is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine testing in Cherokee, AL, hair tests provide a superior detection window and greater reliability.

The benefits of hair testing over urine include improved accuracy and lower risk of tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Cherokee, AL can detect drug use for up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive view of an individual's history.

This extended detection window means employers obtain a full picture of employee substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Cherokee, AL, hair follicle tests are tamper-resistant, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration and ensuring credible results.

The reliability of hair tests lies in their secure collection process, which guards against manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations across the nation and locally in Cherokee, AL.

Our nationwide centers enable quick and hassle-free access to testing services for individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cherokee, AL, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

The ease of ordering, sample collection, and receiving results ensures user privacy and convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround are key benefits of hair follicle testing in Cherokee, AL.

Combining competitive pricing with speed, these tests offer excellent value for companies of every size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Cherokee, AL boasts fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. Unlike urine tests, this method offers superior precision in pinpointing substance use.

Those tested in Cherokee, AL benefit from rapid results and high detection accuracy, ensuring reliability of the tests.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cherokee, AL achieve peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

These tests help reduce legal risks and promote a safe work environment by effectively detecting drug use.

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