Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) close to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample size for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases in drug test result processing in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves initially integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary drug abuse check. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admission. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the main specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation if required. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the actual test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Cedar Creek, AR, hair testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Benefits of hair testing include an extended detection window, which provides a more complete view of an individual's substance use history over time.
Hair follicle tests offer enhanced detection capabilities, able to identify drug use over a more extended period. This advantage allows employers and authorities to implement more effective drug-free policies, shedding light on longer-term substance use.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Cedar Creek, AR, offers a significant advantage by capturing drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This provides employers with a comprehensive perspective on an individual’s substance use history.
Longer detection periods allow for a more informed decision-making process, critical for compliance with corporate policies. Hair tests uncover drug use patterns undetectable by shorter-term testing methods, offering valuable insights into employee habits.
Hair follicle tests in Cedar Creek, AR, dramatically reduce the risk of sample tampering and, therefore, deliver results that are both reliable and defensible. This advanced method ensures that the integrity of the sample is maintained throughout the collection and analysis process.
The resistance to adulteration afforded by hair follicle testing means that results can be trusted implicitly. This provides employers with the confidence that their drug screening process is both fair and robust, mitigating risk and supporting a safer workplace environment.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including facilities in Cedar Creek, AR. Our wide network ensures that individuals can easily access testing services, making the process both quick and hassle-free.
The ease of access to testing centers simplifies the logistics of drug testing for employers and individuals alike, providing a seamless and efficient experience. Whether it's a local office or a site in another part of the country, our extensive reach supports all testing needs.
In Cedar Creek, AR, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential, addressing any concerns regarding privacy and ease of use. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined to ensure a smooth user experience.
Confidentiality is a priority, with all steps from order to results being managed discreetly. This ensures that individuals feel secure and understood throughout their testing experience, reflecting our commitment to maintaining privacy and simplicity at every stage.
With competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Cedar Creek, AR, offers excellent value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes. Accredited Drug Testing provides affordable solutions that do not compromise on quality.
Cost-effectiveness is matched with rapid processing, ensuring that companies can implement testing programs without strain on resources. This capability supports timely decision-making in hiring and compliance, bolstering overall business strategies.
Hair follicle drug tests in Cedar Creek, AR, are favored for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are known for their precision in detecting a wide range of substances. Accuracy is paramount, and hair tests excel in providing dependable results, ensuring necessary actions can be taken swiftly and confidently.
With a hair follicle test, you benefit from a rapid turnaround time, ensuring that results are processed efficiently. The accuracy of hair testing in identifying substance use provides peace of mind to employers and individuals alike, making it an ideal choice for thorough drug testing.
Employers in Cedar Creek, AR, can find peace of mind by leveraging hair follicle testing to align with workplace drug-free policies. This approach reduces legal risks and fortifies workplace safety, essential for maintaining a productive and secure environment.
Compliance with standards is simplified through hair testing, as it offers unparalleled reliability and accuracy. Employers gain assurance in their hiring and retention processes, which supports not only compliance but promotes a culture of safety and responsibility.
