Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft's fibers. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can provide a detection timeframe of nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprised of roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair; body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four key phases in the lab examination of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a specimen into a laboratory's framework. This step ensures the sample was adequately sealed and sent, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient technique to negate drug use across most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening must undergo confirmation as a secondary measure.
If a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is selected from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is highly challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any potentially positive screening outcomes is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examination actually analyzes the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In comparing hair follicle and urine drug testing in Clarkridge, AR, hair testing emerges as the superior choice. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection period crucial for a more accurate assessment of drug history. This undeniable accuracy establishes confidence among employers using this method.
With hair follicle testing available in Clarkridge, AR, employers can uncover substance use over an elongated period, reaching up to 90 days. Such an extended detection window offers a comprehensive perspective on an individual's history, invaluable for making informed employment decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Clarkridge, AR, is a tamper-resistant approach to drug screening. The methodology significantly curtails the risk of sample adulteration, offering results that are both reliable and unquestionable, ensuring integrity is upheld in drug testing procedures.
Our nationwide network of testing centers, including locations in Clarkridge, AR, ensures effortless access to vital drug testing services. This widespread availability guarantees swift, convenient, and straightforward testing experiences for all participants.
The process for hair follicle testing in Clarkridge, AR, is both simple and confidential. Ordering a test, undergoing the procedure, and receiving results are all designed to prioritize privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any potential concerns head-on.
Offering affordable pricing along with fast turnaround times in Clarkridge, AR, reinforces our commitment to delivering value. Our competitive pricing structures cater to varied business sizes, ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising on speed or quality.
The rapidity and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Clarkridge, AR, offer notable benefits. Substance detection through hair samples yields fast, accurate results, outpacing traditional methods. This efficiency greatly aids in decision-making processes, ensuring reliable information is swiftly delivered to those who need it.
For employers in Clarkridge, AR, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only mitigates legal risks but also bolsters workplace safety, providing peace of mind to both management and employees through rigorous compliance adherence.
