Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting substance use, including drugs and alcohol. The fibers of growing hair strands trap biomarkers, offering a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can reveal alcohol and drug usage within a detection window of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easily transported.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hairs (approximately pencil-sized) near the scalp provides around 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. ‘Head hair’ specifically refers to scalp hair, while ‘body hair’ encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing stages for a drug test result comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning phase includes initial sample processing within a lab’s framework. This verifies that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any data entry absent from an electronic custody chain system.
Screening serves as the preliminary assessment for substance detection. Though Screening economically rules out drug use for many samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that are potentially positive in Screening undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive during Screening, additional hair from the primary specimen undergoes preparation for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid testing, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples showing presumptive positivity are washed as needed before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes oversight per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Guadalupe, AZ
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Guadalupe, AZ offers notable advantages. It excels in detection accuracy and reliability, revealing drug use over extended periods with precision. While urine tests are commonly used for recent usage, hair tests can disclose habitual patterns, providing a superior assessment method for employers and legal contexts.
Extended Detection Window in Guadalupe, AZ
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Guadalupe, AZ
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Guadalupe, AZ
Simple, Confidential Process in Guadalupe, AZ
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Guadalupe, AZ
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Guadalupe, AZ
Hair follicle drug testing ensures fast, precise, and reliable outcomes in Guadalupe, AZ. It is known for its high accuracy in determining substance use, offering dependable results. The expediency of this method allows for prompt decision-making. Combined with its capability to detect a range of substances, it becomes the preferred choice for effective workplace and personal testing.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Guadalupe, AZ
