Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers capture alcohol and drug biomarkers, providing an extended record of use. When harvested near the scalp, hair can demonstrate up to a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) from nearest the scalp, yields 100mg, which is ideal for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, supplemental tests, or those over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is ideal. It's advised to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all additional types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Four core steps constitute the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the intake procedure for samples within a lab's framework. This step confirms that the sample is sealed and transported correctly and involves assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) and completing any further data input absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Despite being a cost-effective means of ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screening necessitates a verification to hold in legal contexts. Samples that appear positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a positive indication arises during the Screening phase, additional hair is separated from the primary specimen for Extraction. In this stage, the drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), contributing to the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Confirmation of any positive initial result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Pre-confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are cleaned as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to guidelines under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation for ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Colloquially known as "hair follicle tests", this test assesses the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle drug testing in Fort Mitchell, AL, easily surpasses traditional urine tests through its superior detection capabilities. This method's longer testing period provides a clearer view of substance history, giving employers confidence in their hiring decisions.
Unlike urine testing, hair analysis resists temporary fluctuations, capturing a consistent detection of substances that urine might miss, thus reinforcing its reliability in drug-free policy enforcement.
One of the primary benefits of hair follicle testing in Fort Mitchell, AL, is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, it offers a comprehensive insight into a person's substance history.
A 90-day detection period affords employers and legal entities a broader perspective on substance use trends, crucial for evaluations requiring in-depth drug use analysis, unlike shorter-term urine testing methods.
In Fort Mitchell, AL, hair follicle tests shine as a tamper-resistant method. Unlike urine tests, which are susceptible to sample adulteration, hair testing significantly cuts down the likelihood of tampering.
Hair testing's resilience to common cheating tactics offers unquestionable results, providing peace of mind to employers and legal authorities by ensuring the integrity of substance use assessments.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience with nationwide and local testing centers in Fort Mitchell, AL. This network guarantees easy access to testing services, making drug testing quick and hassle-free anywhere.
Our testing centers streamline the process, reducing logistical challenges and providing unparalleled service reach, ensuring that clients can access testing facilities effortlessly.
The hair follicle testing process in Fort Mitchell, AL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From test ordering to receiving results, our streamlined procedure prioritizes user privacy and convenience.
This confidential approach guarantees user data protection, while the straightforward steps ensure that individuals find the testing process both uncomplicated and unobtrusive.
Fort Mitchell, AL, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. This affordability ensures excellent value, accommodating businesses of all sizes without compromising service quality.
Our cost-effective testing options, coupled with rapid result delivery, enhance our offerings, providing fast drug testing solutions accessible to all corporate entities looking to maintain drug-free environments.
In Fort Mitchell, AL, the precision and rapid turnaround of hair follicle drug tests stand out. This method delivers quick, accurate detection of substance use, making it an ideal choice for employers and legal entities seeking reliable results in a timely manner.
Choosing hair follicle testing not only ensures speed but also maintains high accuracy. This method's ability to identify the presence of drugs with minimal delay makes it a trusted tool for those requiring fast, definitive assessments.
Employers in Fort Mitchell, AL, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method enhances safety and reduces legal risks associated with potential policy violations.
By implementing hair testing, companies adhere to strict regulatory requirements, effectively minimizing liabilities while promoting a safe and productive work environment.
