Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The practice of using hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands, hair offers an extended timeline of substance use. Hair gathered near the scalp can reflect drug and alcohol use for roughly 90 days. The collection process is straightforward, tampering with hair is relatively challenging, and shipping it is convenient.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, add-ons, and tests that exceed 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Alternatively, body hair encompasses other types of hair (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The essential stages in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the phase where a sample is initially processed into a lab’s system. This includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of samples, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry that’s not in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary check for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to dismiss most samples' drug usage, a positive result must be verified for it to stand up in court. Any samples flagged presumptively positive during Screening need further confirmation.
Should there be a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is sourced from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at significantly lesser concentrations than achieved through other means (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting why hair drug testing is among the most complex methodologies to execute.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS carries out the Confirmation of positive Screening findings. Prior to Confirmation, all samples presumed positive are cleansed as necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When considering drug testing methods, hair testing stands superior to urine tests. In Westover, AL, hair follicle testing offers unbeatable detection accuracy. Compared to urine tests, hair tests provide a detailed account of substance use, highlighting their extensive reliability.
The benefits of hair over urine tests are clear. With its ability to trace drug use over a longer timeframe, hair testing in Westover, AL, showcases an edge in precision, leaving traditional urine tests behind.
The ability of hair follicle tests to detect substance use over extended periods is unmatched. In Westover, AL, hair tests reveal drug usage history for up to 90 days, giving employers a complete overview of an individual's substance activity.
In-depth detection is a key feature of hair testing. Offering a wide-reaching view of an applicant or employee's drug use, this method provides Westover employers with crucial insights often unavailable through other testing means.
Hair follicle tests provide an effective defense against sample tampering. In Westover, AL, its nearly impossible-to-alter nature guarantees trustworthy and decisive results, unlike easy-to-falsify alternatives.
Minimizing tampering risks is crucial in drug testing. With its resistant properties, hair testing ensures authentic outcomes, safeguarding the verification process and upholding the integrity of results in Westover, AL.
Experience the convenience of our nationwide testing facilities. With accessible locations in Westover, AL, Accredited Drug Testing ensures efficient and hassle-free service, accommodating various needs swiftly with reliable support.
Local and nationwide centers provide easy testing access. Offering flexibility and comfort, our Westover, AL facilities reflect an unwavering commitment to advancing accessible drug testing solutions.
Streamlined testing processes underscore our commitment to confidentiality. In Westover, AL, ordering and taking hair tests is straightforward, emphasizing privacy, ensuring a discreet and respectful approach for every client.
Simplicity and confidentiality define our drug testing procedure. From test ordering to results, our efficient and secure methods provide peace of mind in maintaining client privacy at all stages.
We pride ourselves on our competitive pricing and rapid results. With cost-effective structures in Westover, AL, we offer organizations impressive value, ensuring affordability paired with swift response times to meet varied demands.
Our pricing and turnaround times make us a standout choice. Providing quick, economical solutions, we deliver high-quality results without compromising on speed or efficiency, appealing to companies of assorted sizes.
The precision of hair follicle testing guarantees fast and reliable results. In Westover, AL, this testing method swiftly uncovers substance use, offering dependable and swift outcomes compared to traditional methods. A trusted approach, it consistently ensures high-accuracy findings.
Top-notch accuracy is paramount in substance screening. Hair follicle tests excel in delivering dependable insights into drug use, leaving little room for error, setting them apart in terms of reliability and speed.
Hair follicle testing is indispensable for maintaining workplace compliance. In Westover, AL, it reinforces drug-free policies, aligning with regulations while boosting workplace safety and decreasing potential liability risks.
Employer peace of mind is enhanced through hair testing. Its proven accuracy secures adherence to workplace standards, mitigating legal concerns and fostering a safer, more reliable environment.
