Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a chronic record of drugs and alcohol via embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeline of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and substance identification. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
Acquiring a 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for analyzing and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair is unobtainable, a proportionate amount of body hair might be acquired. Referring to head hair implies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The critical phases in laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary activity of entering a sample into a lab's system. This process involves confirming that the sample was duly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any requisite data input not furnished by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for illicit drugs. Screening is an economical method for ruling out drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen must be authenticated to be legally viable. Samples that appear positive in Screening demand further confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug tests meticulously complex to conduct.
Verification of any positive Screening finding is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as deemed necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Clarification: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand instead of the hair follicle below the scalp.
In Pinal, AZ, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in several ways. It captures a broader history of drug use, offering a more thorough analysis. The reliability of hair tests is unmatched, reducing false negatives that urine tests may produce. For comprehensive and accurate detection, hair testing is superior.
Hair follicle tests in Pinal, AZ, provide an extended detection window, offering insights into substance use up to 90 days. This makes it an invaluable tool for employers seeking a clear understanding of an applicant's or employee's drug history, ensuring informed decision-making.
One key advantage of hair follicle tests in Pinal, AZ, is their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods, it's challenging for individuals to alter results, ensuring reliable and trustworthy outcomes, fostering confidence in employers and legal bodies alike.
With nationwide testing centers, including in Pinal, AZ, hair follicle testing is easily accessible. Our widespread locations ensure that conducting a test is convenient and straightforward, minimizing time spent while maximizing efficiency for both employers and individuals.
The process of hair follicle testing in Pinal, AZ, is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step ensures confidentiality, making it a trusted choice for those needing reliable drug screening services.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround in Pinal, AZ, our hair follicle testing provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Quick processing means employers receive results swiftly, boosting decision-making capabilities and ensuring satisfaction with our services.
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and accuracy in Pinal, AZ. Unlike other methods, it offers precise detection of substance use, making it a reliable choice. Fast processing ensures results are quickly delivered, providing essential information to employers or individuals seeking verification of substance history.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Pinal, AZ, guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks. Employers benefit from enhanced safety and a clearer understanding of their workforce's status, providing peace of mind through consistent testing practices.