Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures long-term evidence of substance intake by embedding biomarkers in the strands during growth. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period extending up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample of about 200 hair strands (roughly matching the size of a #2 pencil) measuring 1.5 inches from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and confirmatory purposes. For EtG, additional screens, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair, while 'body hair' pertains to other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the laboratory handling of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the sample's initial processing into the lab’s system. This entails checking the sample’s seal and shipment integrity, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary inspection for drugs of abuse. Although screening is a cost-effective method for dismissing drug use from most samples, any positive screen must be verified to be court-legitimate. Samples giving a presumptive positive result in Screening need a confirmatory test.
For samples with a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is drawn from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the more complex technique.
Positive screening results undergo confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on analyzing the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
in Chloride, AZ, comparing the benefits of hair testing against traditional urine tests. Hair testing demonstrates superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it a compelling alternative to more conventional methods.
With an Extended Detection Window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Chloride, AZ provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use history. This advantage allows employers to gauge an applicant or employee's longer-term patterns of drug consumption.
Hair follicle tests are inherently Tamper-Resistant, significantly reducing the risk of adulterated samples. In Chloride, AZ, this method provides reliable and verifiable results, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.
Our Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations, including those in Chloride, AZ, provide accessible and hassle-free testing services. This widespread network facilitates quick and easy access to necessary testing, ensuring a smooth experience.
The Simple, Confidential Process offered in Chloride, AZ guarantees ease of use and privacy throughout ordering, testing, and result retrieval. Concerns about confidentiality and usability are addressed, providing peace of mind.
Competitive values can be found with our Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Chloride, AZ. Offering excellent value, our services cater to companies of varied sizes, providing swift and budget-friendly testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Chloride, AZ highlight the precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests. Not only do these tests deliver rapid results, but they also maintain high accuracy, ensuring substance use is accurately detected and reported.
Ensuring workplace safety, Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Chloride, AZ, is achievable by adopting hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and promoting a secure work environment.