Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening has gradually become acknowledged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged timeline of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a three-month detection window for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equal measure of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for drug test result processing encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an early rapid assessment for drug misuse. While cost-effective for identifying drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Specimens that are tentatively positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If a specimen is tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the assessment targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Cochrane, AL, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing in detecting substance use. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing provides a superior detection window and exhibits remarkable reliability and accuracy. Employers can rely on hair tests for conclusive results, offering a broader detection window, which isn’t usually possible with urine tests.
With this method, the challenge of limited detection time is successfully addressed.
Hair follicle testing in Cochrane, AL offers an expansive detection window, uncovering up to 90 days of drug use history. This characteristic alone provides employers with a comprehensive look at an individual's substance habits.
The extended detection period gives corporations clearer insights into potential employees’ past behavior.
Employing hair follicle tests in Cochrane, AL significantly reduces the likelihood of tampering, ensuring the authenticity of the samples. By being tamper-resistant, hair testing provides incontrovertible results that stand legally and ethically credible.
This certainty enhances trust in the testing process and in the outcomes observed.
Our extensive network of testing centers, including those in Cochrane, AL, highlights our commitment to offering convenient testing services nationwide.
With easily accessible locations, individuals and businesses experience a quick and hassle-free testing process.
Nationwide coverage ensures testing services are always within reach.
Using a streamlined and confidential procedure, the process in Cochrane, AL allows for easy ordering, testing, and result retrieval. Privacy concerns are addressed thoroughly, fostering a simple user experience.
Clients can trust that their information and test results remain confidential and secure throughout.
Competitive pricing in Cochrane, AL, coupled with fast turnaround times, underscores the value hair follicle testing brings to organizations of all sizes.
The affordability ensures companies receive excellent service without straining budgets, gaining quick results without compromise.
Rapid processing times complement the cost-effectiveness of this testing solution.
Hair follicle drug tests in Cochrane, AL, deliver rapid and highly precise results. Known for their swift processing, these tests ensure timely and accurate detection of substances.
The accuracy that hair follicle testing provides surpasses other methods, making it the preferred choice for detecting drug use.
Utilizing this testing method guarantees prompt and dependable results for individuals and organizations alike.
For employers in Cochrane, AL, the adoption of hair follicle testing secures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal disputes and amplifies workplace safety, fostering a secure environment.
Implementing stringent testing can bring peace of mind to business owners, knowing they uphold compliance and maintain high safety standards.
