Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a formidable method for detecting usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair embeds biomarkers from alcohol and drugs within the fibers of the growing hair strand, offering a prolonged history. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use for a period of up to about three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, fairly challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the best sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, specialized tests, and/or panel tests exceeding 10, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair, whereas body hair refers to all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in laboratory processing of drug testing results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage in processing a sample in a lab's system. This covers checking that the sample is sealed and shipped accurately, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening encompasses an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening offers a cost-effective measure to exclude drug use in most samples; however, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that screen positive need secondary confirmation.
If Screening yields a presumptive positive, more hair from the initial sample is used for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, illustrating why hair drug screening is complex to execute.
Confirmation of any positive results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process is audited under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing stands out as a more robust method compared to urine tests, particularly in Hawk Inlet, AK. While traditional urine tests have been widely used, they are limited in terms of detection windows. Hair tests offer superior accuracy in identifying substance use, detecting drugs that urine tests may miss due to their shorter detection period. This makes hair tests a smarter choice for accurate drug use histories.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in Hawk Inlet, AK is its extended detection window, which can go up to 90 days. This long period allows employers to get a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug usage history. With such capacity, substance use trends can be monitored over an extended period, making it a reliable option for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Hair follicle tests in Hawk Inlet, AK are significantly tamper-resistant, providing results that are both reliable and less prone to manipulation. Urine tests can easily be tampered with, which compromises their integrity. In contrast, hair testing minimizes adulteration, offering a more trustworthy analysis, thus establishing it as the preferred choice among safety-conscious employers.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations Nationwide, including in Hawk Inlet, AK, ensuring easy and hassle-free access to testing services. This accessibility means you can get tested quickly wherever you are, without the stress of finding a distant or inaccessible testing center, streamlining the entire process for individuals and employers alike.
Our simple and confidential process in Hawk Inlet, AK ensures that arranging, conducting, and receiving tests are handled with utmost privacy and ease. This fosters a user-friendly experience from start to finish, addressing any privacy concerns, and making sure that every step of the process is straightforward and kept private for all parties involved.
In Hawk Inlet, AK, we offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround with our hair follicle tests. Our competitive rates provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes, ensuring that you receive reliable results quickly without breaking the budget. This allows companies to maintain a cost-effective strategy while ensuring workplace safety and compliance.
In Hawk Inlet, AK, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed, accuracy, and reliability. This testing method swiftly identifies substance use, offering businesses a quick and precise way to monitor applicants and employees. The results are both fast and trustworthy, ensuring that decisions based on these tests are informed and reliable, crucial for effective employee assessments.
For businesses in Hawk Inlet, AK, hair follicle testing promotes compliance with workplace drug policies, reducing legal risks and increasing safety. By implementing hair tests, companies can enhance their commitment to a drug-free environment, achieving both regulatory compliance and peace of mind for employers, contributing to a productive and secure work setting.
