Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. If collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over an approximate 3-month period. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) proximal to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, supplemental/extended tests exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. We advise utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" specifies scalp hair only, while "body hair" encompasses all other forms (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary handling of a sample within the lab's system. This process verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes an initial scan for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples with presumed positive results in Screening necessitate an additional verification step.
For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, an additional hair portion is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most intricate methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In the comparison of hair against urine testing in Success, AR, hair follicle methods show superior detection accuracy. They outperform traditional urine tests by offering dependable results with a longer detection period, increasing reliability for many circumstances.
Hair follicle testing in Success, AR, extends detection capabilities up to 90 days. It grants employers a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history, which urine tests can't match. This comprehensive insight aids in informed decision-making processes.
Hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant solution in Success, AR. Its method minimizes sample adulteration risk, delivering reliable results. This integrity gives stakeholders confidence in the testing process’s authenticity.
Our nationwide locations, including those in Success, AR, provide convenient and quick access to testing services. They ensure a seamless, hassle-free testing experience, so clients can obtain their results efficiently.
The process for ordering and receiving hair test results in Success, AR, is simple and confidential. It respects client privacy, ensuring ease of use and addressing any concerns regarding discretion in the process.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing in Success, AR, along with rapid turnaround times. This provides valuable peace of mind, ensuring all companies, regardless of size, have access to necessary services affordably.
Hair follicle tests promise fast, accurate, and reliable results in Success, AR. They offer high precision in detecting substance use, ensuring clients receive dependable data. With advanced technology, these tests accurately capture substance history, providing assured outcomes that outshine traditional methods.
For employers in Success, AR, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free policies. It reduces legal risks and heightens workplace safety, contributing to a secure and productive environment.