Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is acknowledged as an effective method in identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair archives a prolonged history, capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection span of up to 3 months for substances like alcohol. It's easy to collect, resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising approximately 200 strands—akin to a #2 pencil in thickness—yields about 100mg, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be insufficient, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used instead. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The procedure of processing a drug test in the lab includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is processed into the lab's system, ensuring it's sealed and transported correctly, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug presence in most cases, any positive results must undergo confirmation for court validity. Samples that test positive initially will require secondary confirmation.
If a sample is suspected positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at a concentration much less than methods like urine or oral fluid, presenting hair drug screening as the most challenging to execute.
Positive screens proceed to Confirmation using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as positive receive a preliminary wash before confirmation. The lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle test" is often misused since the test examines the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests in Woodson, AR, hair testing emerges superior in detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests, unlike traditional urine tests, offer a more extensive detection window, capturing drug usage patterns over a longer period. Additionally, the integrity of hair samples remains intact, reducing potential manipulation issues common with urine samples, hence ensuring more reliable results.
Hair follicle testing in Woodson, AR, provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days, enabling employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s drug use history. This prolonged detection capability offers a broader perspective compared to shorter-term methods, which is invaluable in contexts where historical substance use information is crucial, such as employee screenings and legal investigations.
Woodson, AR benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests, which significantly decreases the possibility of sample adulteration. This test type provides reliable results that are nearly impossible to manipulate, ensuring the trustworthiness of the testing process and safeguarding against potential cheating tactics, thus consistently delivering credible outcomes.
The convenience of nationwide testing locations extends to Woodson, AR, providing easily accessible and hassle-free services. Accredited Drug Testing boasts a broad network of centers, ensuring that individuals seeking tests can do so without delays. This accessibility ensures prompt and effortless testing experiences across various locales.
In Woodson, AR, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, from ordering to obtaining results. This straightforward procedure respects client privacy and ensures ease of use, making the experience stress-free for everyone involved. By maintaining stringent data protection standards, individual confidentiality is assured throughout the testing process.
Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Woodson, AR provides outstanding value for companies of all sizes. These competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses can maintain their budgets while benefiting from the reliability and speed of results, enhancing their overall return on investment.
In Woodson, AR, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and accuracy, providing reliable detection of substance use. These tests deliver fast and precise results, ensuring dependable outcomes. The methodology minimizes errors, instilling confidence in the results obtained. Such efficiency aids employers and individuals seeking immediate and trustworthy verification of substance use history.
Employers in Woodson, AR, achieve compliance and peace of mind utilizing hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, diminishing legal risks and improving safety & productivity. By implementing hair tests, businesses can ensure that their policies are effectively enforced and that their work environments remain secure.
