Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within its strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can indicate alcohol and drug presence for a period of up to three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is easy.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches in length, comprising about 200 strands (about the size of a #2 pencil), yields approximately 100mg, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Use a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. If scalp hair is unavailable, body hair in an equivalent amount can be used. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample within a lab’s framework. This step ensures that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as an initial quick test to identify substance abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, positive screens must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly reduced concentration than in other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is regulated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conformance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Pearcy, AR, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection capacity when compared to traditional urine tests. Accuracy plays a vital role, as hair tests eliminate the risk of sample tampering, offering precise results. Employers increasingly use hair testing to unearth substance use histories that urine tests might miss.
Reliability is key, as hair follicle testing leaves a little room for discrepancy.
One major benefit of hair follicle testing in Pearcy, AR, is its extensive detection window. Unlike other methods, hair tests expose drug use over 90 days, granting employers a comprehensive assessment of an employee’s or applicant’s substance habits. This extended detection period far surpasses that of urine tests, offering detailed usage insights.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Pearcy, AR, ensures unmatched reliability. This method drastically lowers the chance of sample altercation, providing decisive, foolproof results. Such resistance to tampering secures unquestionable authenticity of the data, benefitting employers in enforcing stringent no-drug policies.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience with nationwide testing locations, including Pearcy, AR. This network facilitates ease and accessibility for individuals needing hair tests, making the process hassle-free. Secure, nearby centers eliminate unnecessary travel, providing test seekers with prompt services.
The hair follicle testing process in Pearcy, AR, is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use, assuaging any privacy concerns. This seamless process ensures that all test participants remain confident and comfortable, knowing their information stays secure.
At Accredited Drug Testing in Pearcy, AR, competitive pricing and fast turnaround times lay the cornerstone for valuable service. Offering affordable testing solutions ensures that companies, regardless of size, gain excellent service and prompt results, empowering them with information to maintain workforce integrity.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug testing in Pearcy, AR, speak volumes. Known for their fast and reliable results, these tests detect drug consumption accurately. With high accuracy, hair testing ensures employers receive trustworthy data on substance use, aiding in informed decision-making. Hair testing's speed enables quicker workplace responses.
Compliance with workplace drug-free policies brings peace of mind to Pearcy, AR employers. Hair follicle testing supports this goal by effectively upholding such policies, minimizing legal liabilities. Furthermore, it promotes a safe workplace ambiance, fostering a healthier, more productive environment through vigilant substance monitoring.
