Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Northport, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use for up to around a 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of the ideal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar amount of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s system. This encompasses checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for excluding drug usage on most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that are moderately positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests moderately positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirming any positive screen result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All moderately positive samples are washed before confirmation, as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical data: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Northport, AL, hair testing is the clear winner. Its superior detection accuracy stems from analyzing the core of the hair, capturing drug and alcohol usage patterns over time. Traditional urine tests fall short, as they only detect recent substance use, lacking the long-term reliability hair tests offer.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Northport, AL provides an extensive detection window, monitoring drug use for up to 90 days. This extended timeframe gives employers a thorough perspective on an individual’s substance history, far exceeding the limited detection period offered by urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The efficacy of hair follicle testing in Northport, AL lies in its tamper-resistant nature. This testing method minimizes the chance of sample tampering or adulteration, ensuring confident and unquestionable results that support accurate substance use histories.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing services in Northport, AL are backed by a network of convenient nationwide centers. Access to these testing locations is straightforward, ensuring fast and hassle-free testing experiences for all clients, no matter where they are situated.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Northport, AL is both simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, each step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use, addressing any privacy-related concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Northport, AL, we deliver hair follicle tests with affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures guarantee excellent value, offering companies of all sizes peace of mind and timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Northport, AL, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures the detection of substance use with high accuracy. Hair testing technology allows for swift processing, reducing wait times for results while maintaining the integrity and reliability of findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Northport, AL find peace of mind with hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reliable testing method not only safeguards businesses from legal challenges but also enhances overall safety by upholding stringent testing standards.

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