Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. By trapping biomarkers within the growing hair strand fibers, hair offers a comprehensive long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption. If collected near the scalp, hair enables a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is somewhat challenging, and it is convenient to ship.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, serving as the preferred sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a total of 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The quartet of key steps in laboratory drug test processing involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is first integrated into a lab’s system. Tasks include ensuring the sample was secured and shipped correctly, attributing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing additional data entry if not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Within Screening, a preliminary rapid drug abuse check is executed. Screening offers a budget-friendly method to disqualify drug usage in most samples, but a positive screen necessitates confirmation for courtroom acceptance. Samples that test preliminarily positive in Screening demand a secondary validation.
Should a sample test positive during Screening, extra hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at markedly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as needed. Each step in the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In River Bend, AL, hair follicle testing is emerging as a superior option to traditional urine tests. Enhanced Detection and Accuracy set hair tests apart, reliably identifying substance use over a longer timeframe. This expands the window for identifying habitual usage, making it a favored method among employers and legal bodies who prioritize accuracy.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in River Bend, AL, is its extended detection window. Unlike urine tests, hair tests detect drug use spanning up to 90 days. This offers a broader insight into a person's history, aiding employers in making informed decisions about potential or current employees based on their long-term substance use patterns.
Hair follicle tests conducted in River Bend, AL, provide a tamper-resistant method that significantly lowers the risk of manipulated samples. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are collected in a manner that is highly resistant to adulteration, ensuring authentic and reliable results for peace of mind in critical evaluations.
With convenient access to testing centers in River Bend, AL, and across the nation, our services ensure easy and hassle-free testing experiences. This wide network of locations is designed to accommodate rapid service needs, minimizing disruptions and aligning closely with both local and national demands for accessibility.
Navigating the testing process in River Bend, AL is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to ensure privacy and ease of use. Accredited Drug Testing is committed to maintaining confidentiality while providing a seamless experience for all individuals requiring testing services.
In River Bend, AL, our hair follicle testing services are both affordable and timely, designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes. Competitive pricing paired with fast turnaround times provides excellent value, allowing employers to make swift, informed decisions with confidence and efficiency.
The efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in River Bend, AL, lies in their ability to promptly and accurately capture substance use history. Speed and accuracy are crucial, and hair tests deliver on both fronts. Detecting substances long after consumption, these tests offer an unparalleled insight into one's history, outperforming other methods in precision.
Employers in River Bend, AL, benefit from hair follicle testing as it supports compliance and instills peace of mind. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, companies reduce legal vulnerabilities and foster a safe working environment. This method provides assurance in maintaining strict safety protocols.
