Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands hold a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. Collected close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat hard to alter, and simple to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for testing and confirmation. For EtG testing, additional tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is recommended. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advised. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into the lab's system, ensuring it was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a quick preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test positive in Screening require a further confirmation step.
For samples that are presumptively positive in the Screening phase, further hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair but at much lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing highly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The full process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine testing in Cave Creek, AZ, hair tests clearly offer superior detection capabilities. While urine tests are limited by a short detection window, hair tests reveal substance use over 90 days. This extended period allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of an individual's history, providing both employers and individuals with a reliable method of ensuring accountability.
Hair follicle testing in Cave Creek, AZ is unparalleled in its ability to detect drug use over extended periods. Unlike other testing methods, which offer a narrow timeframe, hair tests provide employers with insights into substance use up to 90 days. This long detection window helps create a comprehensive profile of an individual’s substance use patterns, making it an excellent tool for both pre-employment and ongoing workplace testing.
With a focus on reliability, hair follicle testing in Cave Creek, AZ significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, which can be adulterated, hair tests offer a meticulous sampling process that ensures the integrity of the results. By radically reducing the chance of manipulation, employers can rely on accurate and incontestable outcomes to make informed decisions based on dependable data.
Convenience is a hallmark of our service in Cave Creek, AZ, where Accredited Drug Testing offers locations nationwide. These easily accessible centers ensure that drug testing is hassle-free. With swift processing and convenient locations, individuals and companies can benefit from a streamlined service that meshes seamlessly with busy schedules, removing barriers to essential testing services.
Ensuring a simple and confidential testing process in Cave Creek, AZ, hair follicle testing protects privacy without compromising efficiency. From ordering a test to receiving results, every step is optimized for discretion and ease. Individuals and employers alike can engage in a seamless, private process, gravitating toward reliable and irreproachable outcomes that ensure satisfaction within a confidential framework.
Combining affordability with fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Cave Creek, AZ, offers exceptional value. Competitive pricing makes high-quality testing accessible to companies of all sizes. By providing prompt results and economical solutions, businesses gain peace of mind, knowing they receive dependable service without overextending their budgets. This affordability aligns with efficiency, underscoring the test’s value.
In Cave Creek, AZ, hair follicle drug testing is the gold standard for obtaining rapid, precise results. This method shines in its accuracy and consistency, reliably revealing substance usage. Whereas traditional tests may falter, hair testing delivers dependable insights quickly, ensuring individuals and employers have access to the information they need for informed decisions.
In Cave Creek, AZ, hair follicle testing provides businesses with compliance and peace of mind, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. By using this method, employers significantly decrease their legal risks while promoting a safer working environment. Its long detection capability and difficult-to-manipulate nature ensure comprehensive coverage, offering confidence in maintaining a substance-free workplace.
