Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through capturing biomarkers in the fibers of a developing hair strand, hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair can show up to a three-month period of substance use. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A sample approximately 1.5 inches long, consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair covers all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the starting procedure of inputting a sample into a laboratory's system. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid test for substance misuse. While Screening is an economical guide to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result needs to be validated for legal admissibility. Any samples that yield a preliminary positive in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample present a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity of hair drug screening.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples indicative of presumptive positives are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", these analyses review the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
In Stewartville, AL, hair follicle testing presents clear advantages over traditional urine testing. The enhanced detection accuracy and reliability make it the superior choice. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis captures a long-term view of substance use, providing a more comprehensive picture that better reflects an individual's drug history.
This extensive detection capacity highlights the superior effectiveness of hair testing.
Hair follicle testing in Stewartville, AL stands out due to its extended detection window, with the ability to trace drug use up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a richer insight into an individual's substance history. With such a thorough timespan covered, it ensures that sporadic use and frequent abuse are equally detectable, offering a detailed view that other testing methods cannot match.
In Stewartville, AL, hair follicle testing proves to be a tamper-resistant testing method. The process substantially minimizes the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring that results are unquestionably reliable. Employing hair samples, which are less susceptible to manipulation than other types, allows for a credible testing process that stands up to scrutiny.
Convenience is key to our services, with numerous testing locations including Stewartville, AL. Our nationwide network of accessible centers allows for efficient, hassle-free testing. Customers enjoy the ease of scheduling and attending tests locally, making the process straightforward for employers and individuals alike, thanks to our expansive reach and dedication to service efficiency.
Our hair follicle testing in Stewartville, AL is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. The process is streamlined to ensure ease of ordering, testing, and receiving results.
Addressing privacy concerns and maintaining confidentiality are central to our procedures, providing clients with a discreet and user-friendly experience from beginning to end.
In Stewartville, AL, our competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround make hair follicle testing an affordable option. This cost-effective approach, coupled with quick result processing, offers excellent value for businesses of all sizes, providing certainty and swift action in drug testing outcomes. Clients are assured of the value they receive, promoting a prudent investment in workplace safety.
Renowned for its precision and speed, hair follicle drug testing in Stewartville, AL offers unmatched accuracy. This methodology is adept at pinpointing substance use with remarkable reliability, bolstering trust in the results.
The swift processing ensures that results are returned rapidly, empowering timely decision-making for employers and legal entities.
Employers in Stewartville, AL benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. This method aids in minimizing legal risks, providing a trustworthy solution that aligns with industry standards. The peace of mind offered by this testing mechanism helps fortify workplace safety, lauded for promoting a secure, drug-free environment.
