Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessment is perceived as an effective method to identify substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage through embedding markers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. Obtaining hair near the scalp offers a roughly 3-month detection period for substances. Hair is easy to gather, fairly tamper-resistant, and convenient to send.
A 1.5-inch collection of nearly 200 hair strands, comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil, near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional parameters, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We advocate for weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When referenced, head hair pertains strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process for analyzing a drug test result in a lab includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial sample processing into a lab’s system. This includes verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for substances. While a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive Screening requires confirmation for court validity. Samples testing positive in Screening demand further confirmation.
If a sample indicates potential positivity in Screening, an additional section of hair is collected from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging to conduct.
Any positive screening result is validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Pre-confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are cleansed if necessary. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is misleading, as the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Choose Hair Testing: In Belfast, AR, hair testing presents numerous advantages over urine tests, notably its improved detection accuracy and reliability, offering a superior choice for detecting substance use.
Extended Detection: Hair follicle analysis in Belfast, AR, captures drug usage history over as long as 90 days, presenting employers a wide-angled view of an applicant's or employee's past substance experiences.
Secure Testing: Implementing hair follicle analysis in Belfast, AR, minimizes tampering with samples, offering trustworthy results with little room for manipulation, reinforcing test integrity.
Convenience: With testing sites scattered nationwide and in Belfast, AR, completing drug analyses is made straightforward, streamlined, and free from hassles. Accessing essential services has never been easier.
Easy and Private: The drug analysis process in Belfast, AR, is designed to be straightforward and private, reassuring users with its simplicity and confidentiality from ordering to receiving results.
Value and Speed: In Belfast, AR, cost-effective pricing and swift procedure times ensure great value, offering peace of mind to diverse companies without sacrificing quality.
Hair Follicle Testing: In Belfast, AR, offers rapid, precise, and dependable outcomes, ensuring reliable detection of substance use. With its exceptional accuracy, it surpasses other drug testing methods, effectively identifying potential issues.
Compliance Benefits: Utilizing hair follicle testing in Belfast, AR, helps ensure that businesses abide by drug-free policies, decreasing legal exposure and boosting workplace security significantly.
