Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means to detect substance use, including alcohol and drugs. The structure of hair captures long-term indicators as it grows, containing evidence of drug and alcohol exposure. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage history extending to around a 90-day period. Its collection is straightforward, alteration is challenging, and it is simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hairs (equivalent to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp results in 100mg of hair, optimal for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For tests with EtG, additional panels, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measurement. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable quantity of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The primary process stages within the laboratory for processing a drug testing outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample within the laboratory. This process verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional entries not included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. While an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for it to be admissible in legal settings. Samples identified as potentially positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample indicate potential positivity in Screening, additional hair is utilized from the original specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods such as urine or saliva, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
The Confirmation of a positive screen result is achieved using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples predicted as positive undergo cleaning prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this examination assesses the hair strand, not the underlying follicle.
Hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests, especially in Willow Canyon, AZ. Longer Detection Span
In Willow Canyon, AZ, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window, unmatched by other methods. Comprehensive Review
Hair follicle testing in Willow Canyon, AZ, is a robust method against sample adulteration. Reliable Outcomes
In Willow Canyon, AZ, Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous nationwide and local testing centers.Ease of Access
Choosing hair follicle testing in Willow Canyon, AZ is a simple, confidential process.User-Friendly Steps
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Willow Canyon, AZ.Cost-Effective Solutions
In Willow Canyon, AZ, hair follicle drug tests are known for their swiftness and high precision. These tests provide reliable results quickly, making them an attractive option for detecting substance use. High Accuracy
Employers in Willow Canyon, AZ can achieve peace of mind using hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free policies. Policy Enforcement
