Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within its growing fibers. When taken close to the scalp, a hair sample may reveal up to a 3-month history of drug and alcohol use. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of nearly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, extra tests, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing purposes. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we specify scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in handling a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into the lab’s system. This process ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though cost-effective for eliminating drug presence in many samples, a positive finding in Screening necessitates confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples that show a presumed positive outcome in Screening require subsequent validation.
When a Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug analysis notably difficult.
Confirmation of a positive Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are cleaned as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination inspects the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests in Gateway, AR, the benefits of hair testing are clear. Hair tests detect drug usage over a longer period and are less susceptible to tampering than traditional urine tests.
Employers seeking superior detection tools can rely on hair testing for its proven reliability and accuracy, offering greater peace of mind.
Hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, reaching back up to 90 days, giving employers in Gateway, AR a comprehensive view into individuals’ substance use histories.
This longer detection period is advantageous for organizations wanting to ensure consistency in drug use policies, reflecting commitment to safety and policy adherence.
Hair follicle drug tests in Gateway, AR are known for their tamper-resistant nature, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This provides accurate and reliable results for both employers and individuals.
The integrity that comes with hair testing ensures confidence that the results reflect true substance use behaviors without manipulation.
With numerous testing centers nationally, including in Gateway, AR, accessing drug testing services is both easy and convenient. This nationwide coverage makes testing accessible and hassle-free.
No matter your location, our facilities ensure quick access, removing logistical hurdles common with drug testing appointments.
In Gateway, AR, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential, from ordering the test to receiving results. This ensures privacy and ease for all parties involved.
Such transparency and confidentiality address concerns of many, providing comfort with the knowledge that their data is securely handled.
Offered at competitive prices, hair follicle testing in Gateway, AR ensures fast turnaround times, providing a cost-effective solution for businesses.
Our pricing structures are tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, delivering excellent value while safeguarding workplace integrity.
The hair follicle drug test provides fast, accurate, and reliable results in Gateway, AR. With its precision in detecting substance use, employers and organizations can trust this method for ensuring a safer environment.
The accuracy of hair testing stands out due to its ability to identify drug use over an extended period, offering a detailed overview of a person's substance history.
In Gateway, AR, employers benefit from compliance with drug-free workplace policies by utilizing hair follicle testing, which reduces legal risks and enhances safety.
This approach not only aligns with regulatory demands but also offers peace of mind through accurate, tamper-resistant results that support safety and ethics in the workplace.
