Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When samples are taken close to the scalp, they can indicate drug or alcohol use over a 3-month period. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the circumference of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimum amount for tests and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, collecting 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in processing a drug test result in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary task of integrating a sample into a lab’s database. This step confirms that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any remaining data entry that's absent from an electronic custody system.
Screening is an initial, rapid test to check for substance abuse. Although it’s an economical method to negate drug use in most specimens, a positive result in Screening must be confirmed for it to be valid in legal scenarios. Any results that are presumptively positive in Screening need further verification.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the current sample for the Extraction process. During Extraction, chemical substances are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in urine or oral fluid tests, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
The Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as needed. The entire procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed in compliance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair protocols as well as accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft and does not examine the follicle itself under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: Hair testing in Unalakleet, AK, surpasses urine tests in terms of detection precision and consistency.
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers a longer detection window and is invulnerable to common adulteration tactics, providing a more accurate depiction of substance usage history.
Extended Detection Window: In Unalakleet, AK, hair follicle tests offer a significant advantage with their extensive detection period of up to 90 days.
This long detection timeline allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history, offering more reliable insights for decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: Hair follicle tests in Unalakleet, AK, drastically minimize the likelihood of sample adulteration.
Their design ensures the collection process remains inviolable, guaranteeing unquestionable and trustworthy results every time, unlike susceptible urine tests.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: In Unalakleet, AK, our extensive network of testing centers simplifies access to hair follicle testing services.
Nationwide facilities are available for effortless and quick testing, ensuring a stress-free testing process for all individuals.
Simple, Confidential Process: The hair follicle testing process in Unalakleet, AK, is straightforward and discreet, addressing privacy concerns.
From order to result receipt, the streamlined process is designed with ease and confidentiality in mind, reassuring users at every step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Our hair follicle testing services in Unalakleet, AK, offer competitive pricing coupled with rapid result times.
This combination provides exceptional value for organizations of all sizes, facilitating prompt decision-making without financial strain.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: In Unalakleet, AK, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and swiftness. The high accuracy ensures clear insights into an individual's substance use.
These tests are designed to quickly deliver definitive results, giving stakeholders confidence in the findings. They are a preferred choice for those seeking quick and reliable drug test outcomes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Employing hair follicle testing in Unalakleet, AK, aids in maintaining adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
This robust method alleviates legal risks and reinforces safety within the work environment while ensuring the reliability of results.
