Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a historical record, capturing biomarkers within its fibers. Samples cut near the scalp can reveal alcohol and other drug usage within a roughly 90-day timeframe. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to alter, and simple to transport.
To obtain the ideal screening and confirmation sample, collect a 1.5-inch portion of about 200 hair strands (resembling a #2 pencil’s thickness) closest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a suggested specimen amount is 150mg. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair can't be retrieved, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. The term "head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The key steps in processing a drug testing result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's records. This process ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a quick initial check for drugs of abuse. While it is an economical method for dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positive results require secondary verification.
For samples with presumptive positives in the Screening stage, additional hair from the original specimen is prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drug substances are extracted from the hair's lower concentration than in other testing forms (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive Screening outcomes is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process is thoroughly reviewed, from Accessioning to Confirmation, under the CAP designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests surpass urine tests due to their superior detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a broader view of substance use, detecting usage patterns over an extended period.
Employers in Duncanville benefit from hair testing as it minimizes false negatives and provides a comprehensive perspective on an individual's drug history, unlike the more limited scope of urine testing.
One standout feature of hair follicle tests is their ability to trace drug use for up to 90 days. This extended detection window offers employers in Duncanville a thorough understanding of an employee or applicant's drug habits.
Such a broad detection range ensures that employers can make informed decisions regarding hiring and workplace policies, preventing risks associated with substance abuse.
Hair follicle testing in Duncanville reduces the risk of sample tampering significantly. Its process ensures that the results remain credible and difficult to manipulate, unlike other testing methods.
The testing method’s stringent protocols make it difficult to falsify samples, providing assurance to employers and legal bodies of the authentic nature of results obtained.
Test convenience in Duncanville is exemplified by our nationwide centers, providing accessible and streamlined testing services. Our locations ensure that drug testing is simple and easily accessible across the country.
With local centers, residents of Duncanville can experience efficient testing without the hassle of distant travel, ensuring prompt service and results.
In Duncanville, the process for hair follicle testing is both straightforward and private. Starting from ordering to receiving results, confidentiality is maintained throughout.
Our discreet procedures ensure all personal data is protected, offering peace of mind to those undertaking the tests, and securing both privacy and convenience for all involved.
Duncanville businesses can benefit from our competitive pricing models and fast service. Hair follicle tests offer quick turnaround times at affordable rates, providing substantial value.
The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of our tests ensure that companies, regardless of size, gain reliable results without financial strain, promoting trust and reliability in our services.
In Duncanville, AL, hair follicle drug tests provide unmatched precision and speed. Known for their remarkable accuracy, they reveal substance use effectively, making them the preferred choice for those seeking reliable outcomes.
The high accuracy of hair tests emerges from their ability to detect a diverse range of substances, ensuring that every sample yields definitive results while maintaining prompt processing times.
Adopting hair follicle testing aids employers in Duncanville in adhering to drug-free workplace regulations. This contributes to creating a safer working environment and reduces liabilities associated with substance-related incidents.
By ensuring compliance, companies not only maintain legal standards but also foster an atmosphere of trust and safety among their workforce, leading to enhanced productivity.
