Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal usage of alcohol and other substances over a period of up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp delivers 100mg, which is the optimal amount for initial and confirmatory screenings. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a corresponding volume of body hair may be used. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a lab drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s protocol, ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped appropriately, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any residual data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial, expedient assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach for excluding drug use in most specimens, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptive positive outcome during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
For samples that screen positively, additional hair is drawn from the initial collection for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug analysis is deemed the most challenging to conduct.
Confirming any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized in alignment with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO/IEC 17025 certification standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the actual test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing in Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, provides superior detection compared to urine tests. By capturing a longer window of drug use history, employers have a more comprehensive assessment. Hair testing is not only more reliable and accurate but also tougher to cheat.
This method reduces false negatives and misses that urine tests might otherwise leave unidentified, offering clarity where traditional methods fall short.
In Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, one of the standout features of hair follicle testing is the extended detection window. This testing method can track substance usage over a significantly longer period, up to 90 days, providing a full picture of a candidate or employee's history.
This long-term insight allows employers to make more informed decisions, seeing beyond recent consumption and detecting historical patterns.
Hair testing in Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, offers a tamper-resistant way to test for substance use. Unlike other testing methods that involve samples more easily altered, hair tests minimize the risk of manipulation, ensuring trustworthy outcomes.
Employers and authorities benefit from this resilient testing measure, reducing potential attempts at falsifying results.
Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, benefits from a convenient network of nationwide testing centers. This extensive reach makes it simple for individuals and businesses to access testing services swiftly and without hassle.
Local centers are on hand to deliver quick and reliable testing options right in your community, eliminating travel complications.
In Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, undergoing the test, and receiving results all occur smoothly, safeguarding privacy while maintaining ease.
Clients appreciate knowing their data are confidential, addressing concerns over privacy and making usage stress-free.
Our hair follicle testing in Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, is competitively priced and provides fast turnaround. We cater to businesses of all sizes, outweighing cost concerns with excellent value.
With expenses minimized and processes expedited, clients find peace in both investments and outcomes.
In Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, hair follicle tests stand out for their accuracy and speed. The assessment quickly processes samples, offering high precision in detecting drug use. This method ensures reliable results that both employers and individuals can trust.
Compared to traditional methods, the hair follicle testing advantages include near instant results with full confidence in detection accuracy, especially beneficial for zero-tolerance policies.
In Rio Rico Northeast, AZ, implementing hair follicle testing helps employers uphold drug-free workplace policies, aligning with compliance requirements. By adopting this measure, it reduces potential legal challenges and enhances workplace safety.
This approach offers peace of mind, knowing the tools in place adequately safeguard work environments from substance abuse impacts.
