Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair encapsulates a prolonged record of substance consumption by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can indicate the presence of alcohol and drugs within roughly a 3-month timeframe. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands, akin to the size of a #2 pencil and taken closest to the scalp, will yield approximately 100mg of hair—optimal for testing purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. The specimen should be measured using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair might be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The lab processing of drug tests comprises four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step, incorporating the sample into the lab's system. This involves verifying the sample's seal and proper shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drugs. While efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires further confirmation to be valid legally. Samples that show presumptive positives during Screening need an additional confirmation.
Presumptive positive samples in the Screening stage undergo further hair extraction from the initial specimen. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to urine or other methods, highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of positive screenings is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kivalina, AK
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. In Kivalina, the benefits include a longer detection window and decreased potential for sample tampering.
Extended Detection Window in Kivalina, AK
Employers gain a comprehensive view of substance use history through hair follicle testing, which captures drug use up to 90 days prior. This method offers a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's past drug habits.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kivalina, AK
Hair follicle tests dramatically lower the risk of sample adulteration, offering reliable and unquestionable results. This enhances the credibility and dependability of the testing outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kivalina, AK
Accessing our nationwide testing centers is straightforward, offering convenient, hassle-free testing services locally in Kivalina and across the nation.
Simple, Confidential Process in Kivalina, AK
The hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, making ordering, testing, and receiving results straightforward while maintaining privacy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kivalina, AK
Our competitive pricing structures paired with quick turnaround times make our hair follicle testing services valuable for companies of all sizes in Kivalina.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Kivalina, AK
Hair follicle drug tests in Kivalina ensure precision and speed in detecting substance use. Their high accuracy provides quick and dependable outcomes, offering peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kivalina, AK
Implementing hair follicle testing assists employers in meeting drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks, and improving safety.