Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When sampling is done close to the scalp, hair can reveal substance use up to roughly a 3-month period. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch strand consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly matching the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmatory testing. For EtG extensions or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't present, the same amount of body hair is a suitable alternative. When mentioned, head hair signifies scalp hair alone. Body hair pertains to all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The vital steps in lab processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes initially processing the specimen into a lab’s framework. This phase ensures that the specimen was sealed and dispatched correctly, designates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any further data required that isn’t included with an electronic chain of custody record.
Screening is an initial examination for potential drug abuse. While Screening offers a cost-beneficial method to rule out substance use from most specimens, a positive result must be verified for legal acceptability. Any specimens with an assumed positive in Screening demand a subsequent confirmation.
If a specimen returns an assumed positive result in the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the preliminary sample and made ready for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at lesser concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug testing one of the most intricate methods to conduct.
Confirmation for any screening positive is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive specimens are cleansed prior to confirmation, as required. The full lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 specifications.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When considering drug testing options in Dixons Mills, AL, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy by analyzing drugs over a more extended period.
Unlike urine tests requiring frequent doses to be detectable, hair testing gives a factual history, beneficial for employers enforcing drug-free policies.
Hair follicle testing in Dixons Mills, AL, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days for drug use. This far surpasses traditional urine tests' capability, which usually only detect recent use.
This feature is indispensable for employers, as it provides a clearer view of an individual's substance habits, crucial for evaluating potential or current employees.
One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in Dixons Mills, AL, is its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine tests, which are prone to sample adulteration, hair tests significantly reduce the chance of tampering.
This reliability assures employers and professionals of the test's authenticity, maintaining a high standard of trust in the results returned.
With convenient testing sites nationwide, including Dixons Mills, AL, conducting hair follicle testing is hassle-free. Not only do we offer local options, but our broader network ensures quick access to testing services.
This expansive reach makes it simple for employers and individuals to comply with testing requirements promptly without any inconvenience.
In Dixons Mills, AL, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are straightforward, ensuring user privacy.
The process guarantees confidentiality and ease, addressing any privacy concerns, thus making the experience stress-free for all parties involved.
Offering affordable pricing in Dixons Mills, AL, combined with fast turnaround, our hair follicle testing services provide excellent value.
By delivering competitive pricing and prompt responses, we provide businesses of all sizes with peace of mind and dependable testing results within budget.
In Dixons Mills, AL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision. Offering swift results, these tests boast high accuracy in detecting substance use. They provide a dependable snapshot of a person's drug history, ensuring results that can be trusted.
This test's accuracy is a key competitive edge, ensuring that substances are detected without fail. Such reliable detection plays a crucial role in various high-stakes environments, delivering crucial insights for decision-making.
For employers in Dixons Mills, AL, hair follicle testing ensures complete compliance with workplace drug-free initiatives. This method reduces legal risks, providing peace of mind that policies are upheld meticulously.
The confidence in maintaining a drug-free environment through reliable testing supports business integrity and employee well-being.
