Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has rapidly become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. Hair collected near the scalp can show drug and alcohol use for up to a three-month window. This method is simple to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) taken closest to the scalp will give 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. It is recommended to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "Body hair" encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of drug test results involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of entering a sample into a lab's system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any pending data entry that is not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it's cost-effective and rules out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
For samples that show a presumptively positive result in Screening, further hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing very challenging.
Confirmation for any positive screen is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle testing over urine tests in Lower Santan Village, AZ?
Hair testing offers significant advantages with superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair samples retain drug traces for longer periods, making it less likely that recent use is missed. Its reliability shines as hair tests don't depend on the shorter detection window that limits urine testing effectiveness.
Hair follicle testing in Lower Santan Village, AZ, detects drug use over extended periods, even up to 90 days, making it a powerful tool for employers. This long detection window offers a comprehensive look into an individual's substance use history, providing a holistic view of behavioral patterns crucial for employment decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Lower Santan Village, AZ, substantially minimizes the risk of sample tampering, ensuring results remain reliable and truly reflective of the individual's substance use. This robustness in testing serves as a deterrent to cheating attempts, as altering hair samples is far more complex and less likely compared to urine tests.
In Lower Santan Village, AZ, the convenience of finding a testing center is unmatched due to our extensive nationwide network. Whether local or across the state lines, accessing these centers is quick, streamlined, and hassle-free, eliminating wait times and offering easy scheduling flexibility for everyone.
Our process in Lower Santan Village, AZ, is designed for simplicity and privacy. Ordering, conducting tests, and obtaining results are seamless and confidential. This ease of use instills confidence in users by addressing privacy concerns effectively, reflecting our commitment to respecting individual privacy.
Lower Santan Village, AZ, embodies affordability and prompt results with our competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times. We offer excellent value for businesses of all sizes, ensuring that the financial burden is minimized without compromising on the quality and speed of service delivered.
In Lower Santan Village, AZ, hair follicle drug tests are known for their exceptional precision and speed in delivering accurate results. This method is highly valued as it detects substance use with remarkable accuracy, making it a reliable choice for individuals and organizations.
Compared to other testing methods, hair testing provides insightful data about a person's substance use, ensuring confidence in the results obtained.
Employers in Lower Santan Village, AZ, gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing. It bolsters workplace drug-free policies and significantly reduces legal risks while enhancing safety. By choosing this test, employers meet regulatory standards and promote a secure work environment.
