Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Samples taken near the scalp can reveal a consumption record of up to 90 days for both alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, adding substances is challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A sample of 1.5 inches, containing approximately 200 hair strands (roughly a #2 pencil's girth) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's best to measure the sample's weight with a jeweler's scale. If head hair isn't available, body hair of an equivalent mass can be taken. "Head hair" specifically refers to hair from the scalp, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types including facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The core steps in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample is initially logged into the lab's system. This process checks if the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves a preliminary fast drug abuse check. Although Screening is an efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than those seen with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any affirmative screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive are cleaned before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guideline and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually assesses the strand of hair rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gum Springs, AR lies in its enhanced sensitivity and reliability over conventional urine tests. Hair tests pick up on substances with superior accuracy, giving results that are hard to dispute.
Unlike urine tests, which may miss recent substance use or be susceptible to manipulation, hair follicle testing offers an unparalleled level of detection, making it the preferred choice for ensuring compliance and safety.
Extended Detection Window is a significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Gum Springs, AR. This test identifies drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days, offering employers detailed insights into a candidate's substance use history.
Such extended monitoring helps ensure a drug-free workplace by detecting long-term usage patterns, which are often missed by other testing methods, giving you comprehensive insights into an employee's lifestyle.
Hair follicle tests in Gum Springs, AR, are designed as a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly reducing the chance of sample adulteration, thus providing results that can be trusted.
The testing procedure inherently safeguards against manipulation, making it nearly impossible to tamper with or subvert the validity of the results. This reliability is critical for maintaining the integrity of drug-free policies.
Accredited Drug Testing provides the convenience of nationwide testing centers, including in Gum Springs, AR, guaranteeing easy and hassle-free access to testing services.
This broad network simplifies the logistics of obtaining a drug test, whether locally or across multiple locations, offering a seamless experience through quick and accessible service points.
The process of hair follicle testing in Gum Springs, AR, is simple and confidential, from ordering the test to collecting results, ensuring user privacy and ease of use.
Each step, from initiation to obtaining results, is designed with discretion in mind, providing peace of mind that personal information is secure and the process remains straightforward for all involved.
In Gum Springs, AR, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing combined with fast turnaround times, delivering excellent value for companies regardless of size.
The competitive pricing structure ensures cost-effective solutions are available without compromising the integrity of the survey, making it a practical choice for businesses seeking reliable drug testing methods.
In Gum Springs, AR, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. The meticulous precision of this testing method ensures a high detection rate for substance use, offering superior accuracy compared to other tests.
With the ability to detect drug traces efficiently, hair follicle tests stand as a trusted choice, not only delivering results quickly but also with remarkable precision, giving you confidence in the findings.
In Gum Springs, AR, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, businesses reduce legal risks and foster safer environments.
Employers benefit from a more secure and compliant workforce, knowing the testing method is robust and effectively deters and identifies substance abuse, bolstering workplace harmony.
