Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record for alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair's fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer an approximately three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Taking a 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, considered the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, it is specifically scalp hair. Body hair includes any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial sample processing into the lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry lacking in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Even though Screening is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be suitable for legal purposes. Any samples that show a preliminary positive in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample show a preliminary positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This process extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.
To confirm any positive screening outcomes, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are used. All presumptive positive samples are washed as needed before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While occasionally termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gregory, AR Hair follicle testing shows a broader timespan of substance use, offering comprehensive insights. It's not just about detecting drugs – it's about gaining a detailed understanding of any drug history.
With hair testing, the reliability surpasses that of traditional urine tests. Thanks to hair's long-term memory storage, these assessments unveil truths other methods might miss, ensuring more dependable and consistent results overall.
Extended Detection Window in Gregory, AR Hair follicle testing serves as a window into a person’s drug use history for up to 90 days. The method lets employers observe a full spectrum of an individual's substance habits.
This extended period aids employers in making informed hiring or retention decisions, ultimately supporting workplace safety and productivity. It's much more than a short-term analysis—it's a long-range view into substance use behavior.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Gregory, AR Hair follicle drug tests offer a robust defense against sample tampering. Unlike other methods, the collected sample is much more resistant to alteration.
This tamper-resistant approach ensures results are trusted and warrant reliability. By reducing the risk of adulteration, it fosters confidence in its accuracy, creating an indisputable standard for drug testing.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Gregory, AR Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide simplifies the process, offering seamless access to required testing services, no matter where you are located.
Whether in Gregory or beyond, our local and widespread points ease the logistics, making it hassle-free for anyone needing a drug test to find a nearby location swiftly.
Simple, Confidential Process in Gregory, AR From ordering a test to obtaining results, the procedure is both simple and secure, ensuring clients can perform tests confidently, aware of their privacy being protected.
The straightforwardness of our method removes the usual complexities, reinforcing confidentiality, security, and simplicity every step of the process from beginning to end.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gregory, AR Our competitive pricing models make hair follicle testing accessible, offering significant value for businesses of various sizes.
Alongside affordability, we commit to rapid turnaround times, ensuring that results are delivered promptly, assisting businesses in maintaining swift operational decisions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Gregory, AR Hair follicle drug tests provide speedy and precise results, giving them an edge over other testing methods. Within days, you can accurately determine substance use, helping you make informed decisions quickly.
The high standards of hair testing ensure more reliable results. You can be confident in knowing the outcome is exact, reducing the chance of false readings and enhancing trust in the process.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Gregory, AR Hair follicle testing is key in upholding drug-free policies, severely cutting down any compliance risk. Its accuracy supports legal safety, shielding a company from potential disputes.
This testing method intensifies workplace safety and morale, ensuring that policies are consistently met, paving the way for efficient and peace-filled environments.