Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Seen as a potent diagnostic method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing captures a comprehensive timeline of such substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. Hair specimens collected near the scalp are capable of revealing drug and alcohol usage over roughly a 90-day span. Collecting hair is straightforward, comparatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) proximal to the scalp renders 100mg, the optimal quantity for both preliminary and confirmatory analysis. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair is permissible. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair; body hair pertains to any other hair type (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing within the laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as an initial preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening efficiently eliminates suspicions of drug usage in most instances, any positive findings from this stage require verification before being acceptable for legal procedures. Those samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate an additional validation.
Should the Screening phase yield a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen, refined for Extraction. During Extraction, drug substances are isolated from hair at comparatively lower concentrations than those in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of conducting hair drug analysis effectively.
Confirmation of a positive result from the Screening phase is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Every sample that tests presumptive positive is cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The end-to-end laboratory protocol, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to evaluation by both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this evaluation examines the hair strand itself, rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Lipscomb, AL stands superior to urine tests. The prolonged detection period of up to 90 days ensures thorough insights into drug use, far surpassing the limited scope of urine tests.
This extensive detection window gives employers a more accurate portrayal of an individual's substance history, aiding in better-informed decisions based on reliable data unmatched by urine testing's shorter timeline.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Lipscomb, AL is its extended detection window, which can monitor substance use for up to 90 days.
This long-term view is invaluable for employers looking to understand an individual's drug use history comprehensively, enhancing their ability to assess potential employees or ongoing staff effectively.
Hair follicle testing in Lipscomb, AL minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring highly reliable results. The collected sample is far less susceptible to tampering than urine samples.
With this level of security, employers can have confidence in the integrity of the testing process, knowing that the results accurately reflect an individual's substance use history without fear of manipulation.
With convenient testing center locations nationwide, including in Lipscomb, AL, accessing hair follicle testing services has never been easier. Our widespread network ensures that individuals can quickly and conveniently meet their testing needs.
This accessibility makes drug testing a hassle-free experience for both individuals and employers, eliminating barriers to obtaining necessary test results.
The process of hair follicle testing in Lipscomb, AL is both straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively while remaining user-friendly.
From the initial order to receiving results, the procedure is designed with simplicity in mind, ensuring test-takers feel comfortable and assured about their data's confidentiality at every stage.
Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing a preferred choice in Lipscomb, AL. Businesses of all sizes benefit from competitive rates without sacrificing quality or speed.
This ensures excellent value and confidence in the results, making it an economically wise decision for companies striving to maintain efficient and effective substance testing protocols.
In Lipscomb, AL, hair follicle drug testing is celebrated for its speed and precision. The accuracy it provides in identifying substance use is unparalleled, ensuring reliable results consistently.
Employers in Lipscomb benefit from the swift processing times that hair follicle tests offer, enabling them to make timely decisions with confidence. The precise nature of this testing method is crucial in upholding workplace standards and expectations.
Employers in Lipscomb, AL find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which helps maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal risks and boosts overall workplace safety.
By utilizing this form of testing, companies not only safeguard themselves from legal issues but also create a healthier and more productive work environment with strict adherence to safety standards.
