Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly acknowledged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drug exposure by securing biomarkers in the forming hair strand's fibers. When collected close to the scalp, hair offers up to around a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair is easy to collect, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising roughly 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, an ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, specialized assessments, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a larger sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. Note that when citing head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (including facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in the laboratory consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial processing into a laboratory's system. It involves confirming the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering additional data not supplied through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening ensures an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage among most samples, any positive findings require confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than those found using other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), signifying hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized in line with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Melvin, AL, hair follicle testing is superior to traditional urine tests by offering greater detection accuracy and reliability. This method ensures a more robust understanding of an individual's substance use history.
Many prefer hair testing as it detects a wider range of substances with improved accuracy, setting a higher standard than urine tests.
The hair follicle testing method offers an extended detection window, up to 90 days, in Melvin, AL. This long period allows for a comprehensive analysis of an individual's history with substance use.
Employers benefit from the extensive timeframe, providing insight into an applicant or employee's potential long-term drug habits, increasing confidence in hiring decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Melvin, AL, are renowned for their resistance to tampering, ensuring sample integrity and trustworthiness in results.
This testing method is less susceptible to adulteration compared to alternatives, providing reliable and secure results, helping to maintain the testing's credibility and value.
With nationally accessible testing centers, including local sites in Melvin, AL, testing services become hassle-free and accessible to everyone needing them.
The widespread availability of our centers ensures easy access, making the process of drug testing both quick and straightforward for all involved.
Accredited Drug Testing in Melvin, AL, offers a straightforward and private process for ordering and conducting hair follicle tests, mitigating privacy concerns.
Simplicity in procedure and confidentiality in results handling ensure a worry-free experience, encouraging wider acceptance of drug testing.
Our competitive pricing structures in Melvin, AL, along with fast turnaround times, highlight the value and affordability of hair follicle testing for any business size.
Offering cost-effective and prompt results, we ensure that drug testing remains accessible, enabling companies to manage safety and compliance cost-effectively.
In Melvin, AL, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast and reliable results. They provide high accuracy in detecting drugs, making them a preferred choice for many seeking accurate substance use detection.
With a process designed for speed and precision, hair follicle tests identify drug remnants effectively, offering dependable results swiftly.
Employers in Melvin, AL, gain compliance and peace of mind when using hair follicle testing, aligning with workplace drug-free policy requirements.
This testing approach helps reduce legal liabilities and elevates safety standards, contributing to a more secure and compliant working environment.
