Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for uncovering substance and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When trimmed close to the scalp, hair can present a roughly 3-month detection span for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat tough to alter, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement is advisable. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s framework. It consists of confirming the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any auxiliary data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for illegal substances. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate further verification.
Should a sample be initially positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. During this stage, substances are derived from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that initially test positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug analysis:
Constraints:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.
In Gulfcrest, AL, hair follicle testing is more effective than traditional urine tests, offering superior detection accuracy. Hair tests provide a broader detection window, revealing drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests, which are limited to a more recent timeframe. For employers and individuals seeking more reliable and comprehensive results, hair testing is a preferred choice.
In Gulfcrest, AL, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that spans up to 90 days, enabling employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's drug history. This long observation period surpasses traditional methods, allowing for a fuller assessment of an individual's substance use behavior.
Hair follicle testing in Gulfcrest, AL is a tamper-resistant method ensuring the integrity of collected samples. It significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, offering reliable and unquestionable results for individuals and organizations. The robustness of this testing process helps eliminate concerns about sample tampering, contributing to its reliability.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including locations in Gulfcrest, AL, accessing testing services is quick and hassle-free. The widespread availability ensures that both individuals and businesses can obtain necessary tests without difficulty, reinforcing the ease of obtaining hair follicle drug tests.
The process for hair follicle testing in Gulfcrest, AL is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step ensures privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and making the procedure straightforward for all parties involved.
Hair follicle testing in Gulfcrest, AL offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, providing significant value and peace of mind for companies of all sizes. Competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses can maintain compliance without compromising on budget, benefiting from both cost efficiency and rapid results delivery.
Hair follicle drug testing in Gulfcrest, AL is recognized for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision in detecting substance use is high, providing certainty and efficiency for individuals and employers. Testing centers ensure a streamlined process, quickly delivering dependable results, making hair follicle testing a trustworthy option in the region.
Employers in Gulfcrest, AL find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety by effectively identifying substance use among employees, supporting a secure and compliant work environment.
