Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of substance consumption by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's growing fibers. When hair is collected near the scalp, it offers a detection window for substances like alcohol and other drugs spanning up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning starts with entering a sample into a lab's system, ensuring the sample's seal and transport were correct, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs a rapid check for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, confirmation is necessary for any positive result to hold up in legal settings. Samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample return as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at concentrations considerably lower than those in methods like urine or oral fluids, making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.
The Confirmation of all positive screening results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The whole laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the follicle below the scalp
Hair follicle testing is advantageous over traditional urine tests in Leighton, AL. The superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair tests make them an optimal choice. While urine tests are common, hair tests excel by offering a more comprehensive analysis.
Employers benefit from the better detection capabilities of hair testing, ensuring a drug-free workplace with a higher degree of confidence in the results compared to urine testing.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Leighton, AL, is a key feature. It can trace substance use over a 90-day span, providing employers with a thorough overview of an individual's substance history.
This lengthy detection period enables employers to make well-informed decisions based on a firm understanding of the applicant or employee's past and current substance habits.
Hair follicle tests in Leighton, AL, are renowned for their tamper-resistance. These tests reduce sample adulteration risk by offering a highly reliable method for obtaining authentic and accurate results.
The methodology behind hair testing ensures that the integrity of the test remains intact, offering unquestionable results that benefit both employers and individuals undergoing testing.
With convenient testing centers Nationwide and locally in Leighton, AL, accessing our hair follicle testing services is hassle-free. The broad network ensures quick and easy test administration.
This vast availability of locations simplifies scheduling and allows businesses and individuals alike to experience efficient and smooth testing processes without delay.
The process for hair follicle testing in Leighton, AL, is simple and confidential. We ensure privacy at each step from order placement to obtaining the results, addressing any potential concerns about confidentiality.
Our streamlined procedures make testing user-friendly, allowing participants to undergo testing with ease and confidence, assured that their privacy is respected.
In Leighton, AL, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced, ensuring affordability for businesses of all sizes. Quick turnaround times complement this, offering excellent value and reassurance.
The balance of cost-effectiveness and speed in obtaining results ensures that companies can maintain high-quality standards without overstretching their budget.
In Leighton, AL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. These tests quickly and accurately reveal substance use, making them an optimal solution for reliable detection.
The high level of accuracy of hair tests ensures trustworthy results, crucial for maintaining standards in any professional setting, especially when timing is critical.
Employing hair follicle testing in Leighton, AL, provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. Ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, these tests mitigate legal risks while promoting workplace safety.
By using hair follicle tests, organizations can confidently uphold a safe working environment, protecting both employees and the company's reputation from potential substance-related incidents.
