Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures an extended timeline of alcohol and substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair can provide up to about a three-month detection scope for alcohol and substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and uncomplicated to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for preliminary tests and validation. For EtG, supplementary assessments, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the substance is advised. We advocate for weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be harvested. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core phases involved in the lab process of determining a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the primary processing of a sample into a lab's framework. This entails confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening entails an initial rapid inspection for drugs of misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be validated to be permissible in court. Any samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample is preliminarily positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is one of the most intricate methodologies to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite often being termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation itself examines the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fort Morgan, AL
Hair testing trumps urine tests with its enhanced accuracy and superior reliability, presenting an all-encompassing detection methodology. With a longer detection window and reduced chances of alteration, it proves to be a dependable choice over traditional methods.
Extended Detection Window in Fort Morgan, AL
Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection timeline of up to 90 days, giving employers a deeper understanding of an individual's substance use history, compared to shorter traditional methods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fort Morgan, AL
Hair tests greatly minimize the risk of sample tampering, offering consistent and indisputable results, thus reinforcing the reliability and integrity of drug screening processes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fort Morgan, AL
Nationwide facilities guarantee easily accessible drug testing services, accommodating clients with seamless, hassle-free testing experiences locally in Fort Morgan and beyond.
Simple, Confidential Process in Fort Morgan, AL
The ordering, testing, and reporting phases are straightforward and secure, maintaining confidentiality and simplicity, which address client privacy and usability concerns efficiently.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fort Morgan, AL
Strategic pricing paired with prompt result delivery ensures cost-effectiveness and speedy service, offering competitive value and tranquility for enterprises of any scale.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fort Morgan, AL
Highlighting the speed of hair follicle tests, these solutions offer quick turnaround and reliable detection of substances. Known for high precision, they assure businesses that drug use is accurately detected, helping maintain a safe environment.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fort Morgan, AL
Utilizing hair testing aligns with workplace drug policies, mitigating potential legal issues and optimizing work environment safety, providing calmness and assurance to employers.
