Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has increasingly become a highly effective means for detecting substance use. Hair serves as a long-term indicator of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand fibers as they grow. Hair collected near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol usage for up to around three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, it is relatively resistant to tampering, and it is convenient to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment from approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp results in 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests involving EtG, addons, or more than 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is suggested. Use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If no scalp hair is available, a comparable amount of body hair is suitable. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair whereas "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage wherein a sample is entered into the laboratory's systems. This entails checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody may not cover.
Screening is a preliminary swift assessment to detect drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive outcomes in Screening require confirmation for them to be legally valid. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening must undergo confirmatory testing.
When a sample tests presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair from the initial sample is readied for Extraction. This phase involves drawing drugs from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or saliva), accounting for why hair drug screening is the toughest technique to implement.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples with presumptive positivity undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The entire procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is subject to review under the guidelines of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: These tests are known as "hair follicle tests", although they examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: Flowing Springs, AZ
When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing provides superior detection accuracy. The extended detection window offers an unparalleled scrutiny advantage. Employers in Flowing Springs can depend on hair testing for its reliability and precision, setting it apart as a preferable method over urine tests in their drug-free workplace policies.
Extended Detection Window: Flowing Springs, AZ
Hair follicle testing captures a broader timeframe of substance use—up to 90 days, giving employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance history. In Flowing Springs, this comprehensive view aids in assessing potential and current employees, ensuring an informed stance on their past drug interactions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: Flowing Springs, AZ
Hair follicle tests are notably difficult to adulterate, minimizing the risk of tampering. In Flowing Springs, this method ensures testing integrity, providing results that stakeholders can trust. The robustness of this testing method delivers confidence in the outcomes, vital for maintaining safety and compliance.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: Flowing Springs, AZ
Our vast network of testing centers, including local sites in Flowing Springs, AZ, guarantees effortless and efficient testing access. Clients benefit from comprehensive and prompt testing services nationwide, making it simple to utilize our reliable drug testing solutions anywhere and anytime.
Simple, Confidential Process: Flowing Springs, AZ
The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease at every step—from ordering to receiving results. In Flowing Springs, users experience stress-free testing, safeguarding personal information discreetly and simplifying the entire testing experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Flowing Springs, AZ
Offering competitive pricing and swift results, our services deliver excellent value. Companies in Flowing Springs, regardless of size, enjoy peace of mind, knowing they receive cost-effective solutions with rapid turnaround, essential for maintaining effective operational timelines.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: Flowing Springs, AZ
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its swiftness and precision. With high accuracy, these tests efficiently detect substance use, offering quick and dependable outcomes. Individuals and employers in Flowing Springs benefit from results that are not only fast-tracked but also maintain a high degree of reliability, crucial for timely decision-making.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Flowing Springs, AZ
With hair follicle testing, Flowing Springs employers can assure adherence to drug-free standards. This testing method minimizes legal liabilities while enhancing workplace safety, offering peace of mind and ensuring a safer employment environment through reliable drug-use monitoring.
