Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair capture biomarkers within the fibers, offering a prolonged timeline of exposure to alcohol and other substances. When sourced near the scalp, hair testing can reveal substance usage over a period of up to 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Acquiring a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp ensures a sample weight of 100mg, optimal for both initial screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or more than 10-panel drug tests, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an appropriate alternative. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test in a lab involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial integration into the lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any necessary data documentation not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse indicators. Although it’s an economical method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive findings in Screening necessitate further validation for legal admissibility. Samples flagged as presumptive positives during Screening require additional confirmation.
For samples with presumed positive results during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing forms like urine or oral fluids, which is why hair drug analysis is considered the most challenging methodology.
Verification of any positive Screening result is undertaken using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed before Confirmation. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing in Oxford, AL, outperforms traditional urine tests with its accuracy and reliability.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Oxford, AL, offers a significant advantage. It detects drug usage up to 90 days prior, giving employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. This method allows for a thorough evaluation of long-term substance use patterns, greatly aiding in employment decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Oxford, AL, significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. The method ensures the integrity of the results by reducing opportunities for adulteration. Reliable outcomes are achieved through this robust testing method, providing assurance to those requiring accurate drug testing.
Convenient testing locations across Oxford, AL, and nationwide make accessing hair follicle testing seamless. Our centers provide quick, easy, and stress-free testing services, ensuring participants face minimal disruption. Comprehensive local and national availability underscores the convenience of our testing services.
Our hair follicle testing process in Oxford, AL, is simple and confidential. We prioritize privacy and ease of use from ordering the test to receiving results. Participants can expect a straightforward experience that respects their confidentiality, ensuring peace of mind throughout the process.
With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Oxford, AL, offer outstanding value. Companies of all sizes can benefit from our budget-friendly rates and speedy outcomes, supporting their operational and safety objectives effectively.
In Oxford, AL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their swift and dependable results. They offer unmatched precision in detecting substance use, ensuring high accuracy and reliability.
Employers in Oxford, AL, can benefit from hair follicle testing to achieve compliance and peace of mind.
