Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has become a potent method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository of long-term records of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to send.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing around 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp, will supply 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG analysis, add-ons, or tests exceeding ten panels, 150mg is advised. It is preferable to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the laboratory handling of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step involves confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for the presence of drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate most drug use in the majority of samples, a positive result needs confirmation to be considered valid in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
For samples that test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial batch and prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug screening methodology.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples testing presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Mount Holly, AR, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by delivering better detection and reliability. Hair tests are more indicative of habitual substance use.
Extended detection is a standout feature of hair follicle testing in Mount Holly, AR. It can trace substance use over a 90-day span, affording employers a broad view of an individual's history.
In Mount Holly, AR, the hair follicle testing method offers significant resistance to tampering. Its design minimizes sample adulteration risk, ensuring reliable results.
Convenient testing locations, nationwide and locally in Mount Holly, AR, ensure accessible services.
In Mount Holly, AR, we offer a simple, confidential process for hair follicle testing. This ensures privacy and ease, from ordering to results.
Our Mount Holly, AR hair follicle testing boasts affordable pricing and swift turnarounds. Our competitive pricing provides tremendous value for businesses.
Hair follicle tests in Mount Holly, AR, offer fast, accurate results. Their heightened accuracy allows for precise detection of substance use.
For employers in Mount Holly, AR, hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind. By meeting drug-free workplace policies, the method reduces legal risks while bolstering safety.
