Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mud Creek, AL

What it is, How it works

Considered an effective means for detecting substance use, hair testing reveals a comprehensive history by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of growing hair strands. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to ship.

Gathering a 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hairs (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, extra tests, and/or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the event that scalp hair is absent, an equal quantity of body hair is an alternative. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Lab processing of a drug test result entails four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipment were intact, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves completing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may lack.

Screening conducts a preliminary analysis for substance abuse. As a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result from Screening must be confirmed to be valid in court. All samples that yield a presumptive positive outcome from Screening require a secondary verification.

Once a sample registers a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are derived from hair at a lesser concentration than found in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge among methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is applied via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are washed as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests identify drug use up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Reduced potential for deception: Hair tests are notably difficult to defraud, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical use tracking: The test offers insights into drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to spot immediate use: Detection in hair requires roughly 5-7 days post-exposure.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth patterns can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mud Creek, AL

• Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests. In Mud Creek, AL, they are favored due to their ability to detect a broader range of substances.
• Unlike urine tests, which only detect recent use, hair tests provide a historic view, making them essential for comprehensive drug-free workplace policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mud Creek, AL

• The key advantage of hair follicle testing is its ability to trace substance use up to 90 days, providing a detailed account of an individual's drug history.
• This extended detection period in Mud Creek, AL, allows employers to make well-informed decisions regarding potential hires or monitoring current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mud Creek, AL

• The design of hair follicle tests significantly curtails the risk of sample tampering, ensuring that results are both reliable and unquestionable.
• In Mud Creek, this method ensures that employers can trust the integrity of the test results, reducing concerns over false negatives or attempts to cheat the system.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mud Creek, AL

• Accredited Drug Testing offers widespread testing locations nationwide, including in Mud Creek, AL, making access to services quick and hassle-free.
• Whether local or elsewhere, our network ensures that testing requirements are met conveniently and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mud Creek, AL

• The hair follicle testing process in Mud Creek, AL, is designed to be straightforward and private, from ordering the test to receiving confidential results.
• With a focus on user privacy, the approach ensures that all individual concerns are addressed while maintaining ease of use throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mud Creek, AL

• Our competitive pricing structures in Mud Creek, AL, provide great value for businesses of any size.
• With quick turnaround times on results, employers can make prompt, informed decisions without breaking the bank, aligning quality with affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mud Creek, AL

• Hair follicle drug tests offer quick results without sacrificing accuracy. In Mud Creek, AL, the process is both efficient and precise, making it an ideal choice for employers seeking reliable outcomes.
• The highly accurate detection mechanism of hair follicle tests ensures that even small quantities of substances are identified, providing confidence in the results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mud Creek, AL

• Utilizing hair follicle testing for workplace drug policies not only ensures compliance but also enhances safety standards.
• In Mud Creek, AL, adopting these tests helps reduce legal liabilities and fosters a drug-free working environment, promoting peace of mind for both employers and employees.

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