Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extended historical record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When snipped near the scalp, hair can offer an alcohol and drug detection span of up to roughly 3 months. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easy to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a proportional amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial filing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step involves confirming the sample's secure sealing and transport, allocating an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening conducts a preliminary rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical method for negating drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be validated to stand in court. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at a concentration significantly lesser than in other systems (e.g., urine or saliva), rendering hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to execute.
For confirming any positive screening outcome, technologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are utilized. All samples that test presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Macedonia, AL
Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy over traditional urine analyses. By capturing drug use over longer periods, hair tests provide reliable insights, minimizing potential for manipulation and ensuring high trustworthiness in results.
Extended Detection Window in Macedonia, AL
Unlike other testing modalities, hair follicle analysis can trace substance use up to 90 days prior, providing employers with an extensive assessment of an applicant or worker's history, thus enhancing informed decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Macedonia, AL
Hair follicle tests dramatically cut the possibility of sample tampering, ensuring that results are credible and indisputable, offering peace of mind regarding test integrity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Macedonia, AL
Boasting a broad network of centers, our services ensure that testing is accessible and convenient from any location in the country, making the process smooth and efficient.
Simple, Confidential Process in Macedonia, AL
The ordering, testing, and results process is designed to be straightforward and discreet. This addresses privacy concerns effectively, ensuring both ease and confidentiality for those tested.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Macedonia, AL
Our cost-effective pricing and swift turnaround times deliver outstanding value to companies, irrespective of size, ensuring high-quality results without financial strain.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Macedonia, AL
Hair follicle testing provides results swiftly and with high accuracy, essential for discerning substance use in Macedonia, AL. Its advanced precision highlights its efficacy compared to conventional methods, offering a reliable detection mechanism.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Macedonia, AL
Employing hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free regulations, mitigating legal risks while boosting workplace safety, thus fostering a secure and compliant business environment.
