Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. As hair grows, it captures markers of alcohol and other substances within its fibers, creating a long-term record. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, the possibility of tampering is minimal, and shipping is convenient.
An ideal sample for analysis involves a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, providing 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and validation. For EtG enhancements and/or screenings surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler's scale for weighing. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar volume of body hair can be obtained. The term head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The lab procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is first integrated into the lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening includes a preliminary check for substance abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug presence in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be legally acceptable. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and set for Extraction. Here, the drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis particularly challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Samples that test presumptive positive are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Trafford, AL surpasses urine screening by offering superior detection accuracy. Its ability to highlight substance use over an extended period makes it a preferred choice for employers and professionals.
In Trafford, AL, hair follicle testing offers a lengthy drug detection window, often up to 90 days. This comprehensive view aids employers in assessing an individual's substance history.
Hair follicle tests are a robust method in Trafford, AL, for minimizing the risk of tampering. The collection process guarantees authenticity, delivering dependable results.
With testing centers nationwide and locally in Trafford, AL, accessibility to hair follicle testing is seamless. Our expansive network ensures convenient and quick service, eliminating hassles.
The process of hair follicle testing in Trafford, AL is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From scheduling to obtaining results, privacy concerns are addressed efficiently.
In Trafford, AL, hair follicle testing is cost-effective with rapid turnaround times. Our competitive pricing provides great value, offering businesses timely results.
Hair follicle drug testing stands out in Trafford, AL due to its precision and swiftness in providing results. This method excels in identifying substance use, delivering highly accurate outcomes that businesses and individuals can rely on.
For businesses in Trafford, AL, hair follicle tests help uphold drug-free policies while reducing legal liabilities. They bolster workplace security, offering peace of mind.
