Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug presence by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair offers a period of up to three months for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg, an ideal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional requests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is preferred. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in laboratory analysis of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab's framework. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any manual data entry not automated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening effectively dismisses drug use in most samples, any positive findings require confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples speculated to be positive during Screening must undergo a secondary verification.
If Screening yields a presumptively positive result, additional hair from the primary sample is utilized for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing the most complex to execute.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", these evaluate the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Three Points, AZ. Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Their capability to detect drugs over an extended period makes them a preferred choice for comprehensive drug screening and ensures more accurate assessments.
Extended Detection Window in Three Points, AZ. With the ability to detect drug use spanning up to 90 days, hair follicle testing provides employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history. This extended window offers a clear picture of a person's long-term drug patterns.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Three Points, AZ. Hair follicle tests significantly diminish the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring results are reliable and beyond dispute. By minimizing the risk of tampering, these tests offer trustworthy data for decision-making.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Three Points, AZ. Our extensive network of testing centers ensures quick, easy, and stress-free access to testing services. With both nationwide and local options available, receiving a test is a hassle-free experience for everyone involved.
Simple, Confidential Process in Three Points, AZ. Our streamlined and discreet approach to testing ensures a simple and confidential experience. From ordering to receiving results, the process addresses privacy and user-friendliness concerns while maintaining a straightforward procedure.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Three Points, AZ. Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times offer excellent value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes. By streamlining processes, we ensure that companies can meet their testing needs efficiently and cost-effectively.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Three Points, AZ. The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests ensure exceptional accuracy in detecting substance use. These tests deliver results that provide confidence due to their reliable detection mechanism, allowing you to make informed decisions quickly and effectively.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Three Points, AZ. Implementing hair follicle testing helps employers remain compliant with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment. This testing method provides peace of mind through enhanced security.