Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become a recognized method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by entrapping biomarkers within the hair fiber. When collected near the scalp, it offers a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hairs (similar in width to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for test screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair. Body hair includes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in processing a drug test in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning starts with entering a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary drug abuse check. Though cost-effective for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptive positive samples from Screening need secondary verification.
If Screening presents a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening notably challenging.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Lowell, AR, offers marked advantages over traditional urine tests. Employers and organizations recognize hair tests for their superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Enhanced Detection: Hair tests uncover drug use over a longer period, revealing a broader spectrum of drug history.
The hair follicle testing method in Lowell, AR, provides an extended detection window for substance use. Employers benefit from the ability to evaluate drug history over up to 90 days, ensuring a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's behavior.
In Lowell, AR, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method, greatly minimizing the risk of sample tampering. This reliable approach provides employers and other organizations with unquestionable results.
With extensive testing locations across the nation, including Lowell, AR, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to drug tests. This ease-of-access simplifies scheduling and conducting tests for both employers and individuals.
Accredited Drug Testing in Lowell, AR, offers a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing, addressing privacy concerns. From ordering to result delivery, the process is streamlined and secure.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, hair follicle testing in Lowell, AR, provides excellent value to companies. The competitive pricing structures ensure accessibility for businesses of all sizes without sacrificing quality.
In Lowell, AR, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are renowned for their precision in detecting substance use, providing employers and individuals with trustworthy insights into potential drug or alcohol consumption.
Fast Turnaround: Results are delivered swiftly, ensuring timely decision-making for employment or legal matters.
Employers in Lowell, AR, opting for hair follicle testing gain peace of mind and ensure compliance with workplace drug policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing safety, these tests provide a secure working environment.
