Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has become recognized as a robust method for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use for up to about three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
By taking a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hairs (similar in width to a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp, a sample weighing 100mg is obtained, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is preferred. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, while "Body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a drug test in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the primary handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This step includes confirming the sample was correctly enclosed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing other necessary data that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift assessment for substance abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
For presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to techniques like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.
Confirming any positive screen results is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.
In Sycamore, AL, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by providing unrivaled detection precision and reliability. Urine tests may detect substances used recently, but hair testing excels with its long detection window, offering a broader historical view of drug use.
The efficacy of hair follicle testing arises from its capability to reveal substance consumption over weeks, unlike urine tests that cover a few days. This advantage enables employers and authorities to make informed decisions based on comprehensive data.
For employers in Sycamore, AL, hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection window that reveals substance use up to 90 days prior. This long-term insight is invaluable when assessing the drug history of potential and current employees.
By examining hair samples, employers can assess a candidate's commitment to a drug-free lifestyle, reducing risks and ensuring a trustworthy workforce through a continuous observation period.
The rampant sample adulteration issues seen in other testing methods are minimized with hair follicle tests in Sycamore, AL. The difficulty in tampering with these samples makes them highly reliable for employers.
By choosing hair tests, companies in Sycamore can rely on the authenticity and integrity of their results, making it a formidable tool against dishonest practices and ensuring trustworthy data.
With numerous testing locations nationwide, including Sycamore, AL, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access. This expansive network guarantees convenient and fast testing services, reducing wait times and improving service delivery.
In choosing our local centers, businesses and individuals benefit from hassle-free appointments, accessible staff, and timely procedures that suit their busy schedules.
The hair follicle testing process in Sycamore, AL is both simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, our streamlined approach prioritizes user-friendliness and privacy.
Our tests are designed to alleviate any concerns regarding privacy. Each step is conducted with discretion, ensuring the confidentiality of all clients while delivering results promptly.
In Sycamore, AL, our hair follicle tests are priced competitively, providing outstanding value without compromising service quality. The pricing structure is designed to accommodate businesses of any size.
With a fast turnaround time, our affordable tests deliver quick peace of mind, helping organizations make precise and efficient decisions regarding their employees.
The accuracy of hair follicle drug tests is unparalleled in Sycamore, AL, providing fast and precise outcomes. This method confirms the presence of substances with high levels of certainty, surpassing conventional approaches in reliability.
With their superior detection accuracy, hair tests ensure no false negatives, making them ideal for organizations demanding accurate and conclusive results rapidly and consistently.
Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies is simpler with hair follicle testing in Sycamore, AL. This method aids employers in adhering to legal obligations while maintaining a safe work environment.
The reliability of hair testing strengthens company policies and reduces legal liabilities, allowing organizations to focus on growth with peace of mind.
