Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected from near the scalp, hair can offer around a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This step ensures that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial check for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Any sample that tests presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine testing in Compton, AR. Its detection accuracy is superior, providing dependable outcomes that highlight past drug use. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis has a broader reach, ensuring that even infrequent drug use doesn't go unnoticed. This makes hair testing a preferred choice, offering a more comprehensive picture of an individual's substance use history.
In Compton, AR, hair follicle testing serves as an effective tool for identifying drug use over an extended timeline. Unlike traditional methods, it reviews an individual's substance intake over the past 90 days, offering employers a detailed understanding of a person's substance habits. This prolonged detection window is invaluable for assessing long-term compliance with drug-free policies.
For those seeking foolproof testing methods in Compton, AR, hair follicle tests are a viable solution. By significantly minimizing the chances of sample tampering, they offer undeniable authenticity. Their design ensures that results are trustworthy, elevating the integrity of the testing process and providing peace of mind to all parties involved.
Ease and accessibility define our testing services in Compton, AR, thanks to our extensive network of centers nationwide. We offer convenient access to swift and seamless testing procedures, making it easy to meet diverse needs. Our ongoing commitment to accessibility ensures that testing is available wherever it's needed, without any hassle.
The process in Compton, AR for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From arranging a test to obtaining the results, every step prioritizes user privacy. Ensuring that the process remains simple yet discreet is crucial for maintaining trust and confidence in the testing system, addressing concerns about personal data protection and ease of use.
Our competitive pricing in Compton, AR offers great value, ensuring that our services accommodate businesses of all sizes. Coupled with prompt turnaround times, we deliver favorable outcomes, addressing budgetary considerations while maintaining quality. These attributes make our services appealing to a wide range of organizations, from small enterprises to larger corporations.
Medical practitioners and employers in Compton, AR can rely on hair follicle tests for precise outcomes. The high accuracy of these tests ensures swift and consistent detection of substance use. By opting for hair analysis, organizations can make informed decisions quickly, reducing the uncertainty associated with other testing methods. This reliability in results contributes to efficient drug use screening processes.
Employers in Compton, AR find assurance in using hair follicle testing to uphold workplace drug policies. This method not only fosters a safer work environment but also curtails legal liabilities. Adhering to drug-free regulations with this testing is a proactive step towards achieving peace of mind and ensuring continued compliance.
