Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-lasting evidence of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When collected near the root, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage within roughly a three-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample size for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (face, armpits, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in a lab comprises four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes incorporating the sample into a lab’s system. This phase ensures proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishes any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid drug abuse assessment. While Screening effectively eliminates drug use for most samples, a positive result necessitates Confirmation for legal validity. Any samples indicating possible positive in Screening must undergo secondary Confirmation.
When a sample is possibly positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In the Extraction phase, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening a particularly complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Any samples flagged as possibly positive are cleaned ahead of Confirmation as required. Throughout the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation, activities are audited under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and against ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation actually analyzes the hair shaft, not the root under the skin.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Amity, AR, the former stands out for its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide a longer detection period, revealing drug use up to 90 days prior, making them valuable for businesses seeking enhanced monitoring. This reliability, plus the difficulty in tampering, renders hair testing a more trustworthy choice than traditional urine tests for employers enforcing strict anti-drug policies.
Amity, AR companies benefit from hair follicle testing, which extends the window for drug detection significantly. Unlike urine tests, which offer a short-term view, hair tests reach back about 90 days, providing a detailed account of an individual's substance use history. This extended detection is critical for employers who value long-term insights into an employee's or applicant's drug use patterns for thorough screening processes.
The hair follicle test is a robust method against tampering, particularly appealing to employers in Amity, AR. Its observed collection process and biological complexity make it extremely challenging to adulterate, ensuring the integrity of results. This resistance to tampering leads to trustworthy outcomes that support a drug-free work environment, providing employers with the assurance they need.
With testing centers nationwide and in Amity, AR, our services ensure convenient access to hair follicle tests. The widespread availability of our locations allows for quick, straightforward, and trouble-free testing procedures. This extensive network supports employers and individuals by providing accessible testing, reinforcing the reliability and ease of maintaining drug-free standards in various settings.
The process of hair follicle testing in Amity, AR is straightforward and secure, making it a favored choice for those concerned with confidentiality and efficiency. Ordering, testing, and obtaining results are streamlined for a seamless experience, with strict privacy protocols that protect personal information, offering reassurance and comfort to participants throughout the testing proceedings.
Amity, AR businesses benefit from hair follicle testing due to its affordable pricing and swift results, which provide excellent value for organizations of all sizes. Fast turnaround times allow companies to make informed decisions with minimal delay, while competitive pricing ensures a cost-effective approach to maintaining workplace safety, optimizing both economic and operational efficiency.
In Amity, AR, the precision and speed of hair follicle tests set them apart in the realm of drug detection. This method offers high accuracy in identifying substance use, covering a range of substances with robustness and reliability. Backed by advanced technology, hair follicle drug testing ensures results that are both prompt and meticulous, benefiting employers by facilitating quick decision-making in maintaining a drug-free workplace.
In Amity, AR, hair follicle testing aids employers in adhering to workplace drug policies, thus mitigating legal risks and fortifying safety. By leveraging this reliable testing method, businesses ensure compliance and security, achieving peace of mind. Hair test results offer evidence-based assurances that uphold drug-free workplace policies, fostering a culture of safety and accountability among employees.
