Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mountain Home, AR

What it is, How it works

The practice of hair testing has emerged as a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drug presence by preserving biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over a period of up to roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hairs (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precision. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. In reference to head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing procedure in the lab consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the beginning phase, where the sample is entered into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other necessary data recording not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides an initial assessment for drug substances. While it is an economical way to eliminate most negative samples, a positive findings in Screening must be confirmed for validity in legal processes. Any presumed positive results in Screening mandate further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug testing is notably complex.

Positive outcomes from the Screening process are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can determine drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection time frame.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are infamously tough to cheat, increasing the reliability of the results.
• Shows usage trends: These tests can illustrate a trajectory of drug consumption over months, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Does not detect immediate use: Drugs become evident in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Costs: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair tone and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Mountain Home, AR, offers clear advantages over urine testing, including superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests maintain longer detection windows, ensuring past drug use is identified. This enhances certainty in screening processes, giving employers and authorities significant benefits.

• Hair testing uncover drug use from months prior, providing comprehensive insights.
• Sample collection is observed, mitigating tampering risks.
• The reliability ensures compliance with regulatory standards.

Extended Detection Window

In Mountain Home, AR, hair follicle testing successfully uncovers drug use for up to 90 days, offering employers a thorough perspective of an individual's substance history. This extended detection window means employers have access to a complete overview of an applicant’s or employee’s drug use over several months, enhancing decision-making in hiring and monitoring.

This broader detection range fortifies workplace safety initiatives and supports compliance efforts, ensuring a healthier work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Mountain Home, AR, sees the benefits of hair follicle testing, which offers a tamper-resistant approach to drug screening. Unlike more traditional urine tests, hair tests are challenging to adulterate, as sample collection is witnessed, preventing manipulation.

This testing method provides unquestionable reliability and enhanced protection against attempts to falsify results, ensuring that the outcomes are trustworthy and dependable for all stake-holders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing locations, including in Mountain Home, AR, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience for clients nationwide. You can easily access our services locally or through any of the numerous nationwide centers conveniently, making the testing process hassle-free by providing quick and efficient service where it’s needed most.

• Local and national presence ensures comprehensive coverage.
• Fulfilling testing needs promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mountain Home, AR, Accredited Drug Testing provides a simple and confidential process for ordering, administering, and receiving test results. This priority on privacy and user-friendliness guarantees a seamless experience, addressing any prospective concerns regarding confidentiality and ease of use.

Employers can feel assured that every step maintains discretion, reinforcing the commitment to upholding individual and corporate privacy standards.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Mountain Home, AR, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's affordable pricing and quick turnaround, bringing value to companies of various sizes. Our competitive pricing structures are designed to accommodate diverse business needs, ensuring that high-quality testing services remain accessible and cost-effective for all.

Moreover, with prompt delivery of results, businesses can proceed with informed decision-making promptly, boosting organizational efficiency significantly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Mountain Home, AR, hair follicle tests are renowned for their precision and speed, offering rapid and reliable detection of drug use. These tests stand out due to their high accuracy and ability to identify substances over longer durations, providing timely and dependable results.

Employers benefit from the fast processing times of hair follicle tests, ensuring they're equipped with accurate information about their employees and making informed decisions quickly. This reduces downtime and bolsters workplace safety and productivity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Mountain Home, AR, hair follicle testing helps safeguard against non-compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By using such precise testing, companies can effectively minimize legal risks, uphold policy standards, and cultivate a safer work environment.

Implementing these measures instills greater peace of mind among management and employees, knowing that the workplace remains monitored and secure against substance misuse.

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