Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Widely regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use, hair testing captures long-term substance history by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. Collecting hair close to the scalp allows for detecting drugs and alcohol for up to three months. Hair is easy to gather, not easily tampered with, and convenient to mail.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample, approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, perfect for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, more extensive tests beyond 10 panels, or add-ons, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is absent, equivalent body hair can be collected. References to head hair denote scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in a laboratory's drug test analysis of a sample: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves logging a sample into a lab system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes extra data entry if not provided by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening makes a preliminary check for drug abuse. While being a cost-effective approach to eliminating drug use for most samples, any positives need confirmation for courtroom use. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need additional confirmation.
For samples with a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the primary sample is prepped for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair here at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of positive results from screening is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing a presumptive positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly mistaken as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests surpass urine tests due to their superior detection accuracy and reliability. In Glacier View, AK, these tests are optimal for identifying drug presence over extended periods. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests provide a more comprehensive understanding of a person's substance use history.
Such testing offers enhanced accuracy by eliminating potential errors associated with short-term detection methods. Employers and authorities favor hair testing for its robustness and dependable results.
With an extended detection window reaching up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Glacier View, AK, offers employers a thorough view of an individual's substance use history. This long-term insight is particularly beneficial in making informed hiring or continuation decisions.
Unlike other testing methods, the hair follicle test's ability to identify drug use over several months allows employers to assess patterns rather than isolated incidents, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation.
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering in Glacier View, AK. Their design inherently makes it challenging to alter results, ensuring that outcomes are both reliable and indisputable.
This testing method is virtually foolproof; its integrity offers peace of mind to employers and authorities who rely on these results for critical decisions, reinforcing the trustworthiness of drug testing environments.
With testing centers nationwide, including in Glacier View, AK, our hair follicle testing services offer unmatched convenience. Access to these locations is streamlined and hassle-free, ensuring that testing can be conducted efficiently regardless of your location.
This network of centers guarantees timely and accessible drug testing services, making the process straightforward for both individuals and organizations seeking reliable testing solutions.
The hair follicle testing process in Glacier View, AK, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is structured to protect privacy without sacrificing convenience.
This ensures that test-takers can rely on an unobtrusive process while maintaining personal and sensitive information in confidence, meeting the needs of both organizations and individuals alike.
In Glacier View, AK, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times on hair follicle tests. Our structure provides excellent value for companies, enabling cost-effective decisions without compromising on quality or speed.
Affordable pricing coupled with timely results assures organizations of all sizes that they are receiving high-quality service, reinforcing their confidence in choosing this drug testing method.
In Glacier View, AK, hair follicle tests offer unparalleled precision and speed in drug detection. Their accuracy in identifying substance use makes them highly dependable. The process ensures fast turnaround times without compromising accuracy, offering credible results for both individuals and employers.
By delivering reliable data swiftly, these tests help organizations make informed decisions. The efficiency of this testing method aligns with modern demands for prompt and exact results in drug detection scenarios.
Employers in Glacier View, AK, can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method minimizes legal risks while promoting a safer, healthier work environment.
By implementing this reliable testing approach, employers experience elevated peace of mind and compliance, knowing their workforces remain free from illegal substance influence and associated liabilities.
