Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The composition of hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When obtained close to the scalp, a hair sample can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to approximately three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (about the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional categories, or those beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the hair sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a proportional quantity of body hair can be used. Note that 'head hair' specifically indicates scalp hair, while 'body hair' includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in the laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample goes through initial processing in a lab’s system. This phase includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry not captured through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial brief test for drugs of abuse. Although it is cost-efficient and applicable to most samples, a positive result from Screening needs further confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples that screen positive require additional verification.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the initial collection for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug screening is particularly challenging to conduct.
Verification of positive Screening results occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples initially tested as positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle under the scalp.
In Bay, AR, hair follicle tests are superior to urine testing due to their advanced detection capabilities. They offer unmatched accuracy and reliability in identifying drug use.
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window, enabling a more comprehensive drug usage history. This makes it ideal for employers with zero-tolerance policies.
In Bay, AR, the value of hair follicle testing lies in its extended detection period. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, it grants employers a thorough view of an individual's substance consumption.
Hair tests give a comprehensive insight into a potential or current employee's drug history, aiding in informed decision-making for maintaining a safe work environment.
Bay, AR employers find hair follicle tests tamper-resistant, significantly lowering the chance of sample manipulation. This ensures the results remain trustworthy and unbiased.
Because hair samples are less susceptible to adulteration, they provide a higher level of validity and are hard to falsify compared to other testing methods.
Residents and employers in Bay, AR, find it convenient to access nationwide testing centers, making testing services quick, easy, and free of complications.
Our testing centers offer accessible locations, ensuring that individuals can efficiently undergo drug testing without unnecessary travel or hassle.
In Bay, AR, Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple and confidential process for ordering and conducting hair follicle drug tests, ensuring privacy is maintained from start to finish.
User ease is prioritized, facilitating a smooth experience whether ordering an analysis or receiving the final results, giving confidence to all involved parties.
Among Bay, AR businesses, the appeal of hair follicle testing lies in the affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for employers.
Our competitive pricing structure coupled with quick result processing offers peace of mind, making it a viable option for companies regardless of size.
In Bay, AR, hair follicle drug tests provide fast and accurate results. Their high precision in identifying substances ensures that test outcomes are reliable and credible.
Employers benefit from the speed of hair testing, which promptly delivers conclusive evidence of substance use. It stands out for its efficiency in processing samples and delivering results without unnecessary delays.
For employers in Bay, AR, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to strict workplace drug policies, offering compliance and reducing legal risks.
Utilizing this method enhances workplace safety, providing company leaders peace of mind knowing that their environment remains drug-free, benefiting overall organizational integrity.
