Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair samples can provide a detection period for substances, including alcohol, spanning up to around three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, supplementary tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is recommended. In the event that scalp hair is not accessible, a corresponding amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in a laboratory involves four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The initial sample processing into a laboratory’s system is known as Accessioning. This step includes verifying the secure sealing and proper shipment of the sample, providing it with a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplementary data not available through an electronic chain of custody.
The Screening stage entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Screening serves as an economical tool to dismiss drug use in most samples; however, results showing positive require confirmation for admissibility in court. Any positive screening outcomes necessitate a secondary verification.
For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations that are lower compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any preliminary positive results is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Any samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests," this test involves examining the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Vernon, AL is due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide insights into substance use over a longer period compared to traditional methods. Unlike urine, hair testing cannot be easily manipulated, granting employers and legal entities a reliable means of ensuring drug-free policies with high confidence and without compromise.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Vernon, AL is a significant advantage. It allows the detection of drug use for up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history. This long-term perspective helps in evaluating the consistency of an employee's drug use habits, thereby aiding in making informed hiring and monitoring decisions.
Tamper-resistant testing in Vernon, AL is achieved through hair follicle analysis. This method significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, providing results that are reliable and beyond doubt. As a result, employers and other authorities can rest assured that the outcomes represent an accurate assessment of an individual's substance use, free from the common manipulations associated with urine tests.
Testing in Vernon, AL is made convenient with nationwide testing locations. The accessibility of our centers ensures that drug testing services are quick, easy, and hassle-free for everyone. Whether locally or across the nation, our comprehensive network of facilities guarantees that you can undergo hair follicle testing at a location that suits your needs, simplifying the process significantly.
In Vernon, AL, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results are streamlined to safeguard privacy and ensure ease of use for all clients. This commitment to confidentiality and ease ensures that clients can trust the process, knowing their personal information is handled with the utmost discretion and care.
Our services in Vernon, AL boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Competitive pricing structures not only provide outstanding value but also guarantee peace of mind for companies of all sizes. With rapid processing times, clients receive results swiftly, allowing for prompt action and decision-making, further enhancing the value of our drug testing solutions.
In Vernon, AL, hair follicle drug testing ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of hair testing in detecting substance use is unmatched, providing a dependable evaluation. With swift processing times, clients often receive results rapidly, ensuring timely decision-making in both professional and personal scenarios, maintaining a standard of excellence and trust in the testing process.
For employers in Vernon, AL, hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind. By implementing this method, companies can uphold drug-free workplace policies effectively, minimizing legal liabilities while promoting a safe and productive working environment. This approach not only secures regulatory compliance but also enhances employee trust and morale.
