Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing captures a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the hair's growing fibers. Hair samples taken near the scalp provide up to a three-month timeframe for detecting drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands of hair (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100 mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150 mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" means any other hair type (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The lab analysis of a drug test result consists of four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the start of processing a sample within a lab's system, which includes confirming proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entries that an electronic chain of custody system doesn’t cover.
Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. While it's a budget-friendly method to exclude drug presence in most samples, any positive result must be confirmed to be legally credible. Samples yielding presumptive positive results during Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive outcome during Screening, additional hair from the original sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. In this step, drug substances are extracted from hair, which occurs at much lower levels than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to carry out.
Any positive screening outcome undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washes are performed on all presumptive positive samples before Confirmation. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is performed under the supervision of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Typically named "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Overpowers Urine Testing in Colebrook, CT
Hair tests exceed urine tests in efficacy, offering unmatched detection accuracy and reliability.
Extended Detection Windows in Colebrook, CT
Hair follicle testing extends the detection window, tracing substance use back up to 90 days,
allowing employers to evaluate an individual's long-term substance habits.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Ensures Integrity in Colebrook, CT
The robust nature of hair follicle tests makes them considerably tamper-resistant, unlike conventional methods.
Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Access in Colebrook, CT
Accessing our drug testing services is uncomplicated across our numerous national and local sites.
Streamlined and Confidential Testing Process in Colebrook, CT
Our testing procedure prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality,
putting privacy concerns at ease.
Affordable and Prompt Service in Colebrook, CT
Competitive pricing and swift result turnovers enhance the value of our testing services.
The effectiveness of hair follicle testing in Colebrook, CT lies in its ability to quickly deliver accurate results. Hair follicle tests offer remarkable precision, ensuring reliable drug use detection.
With their high accuracy rates, these tests pinpoint substances with unparalleled speed.
Employer Compliance and Assurance through Colebrook, CT Hair Testing
By incorporating hair follicle tests, employers align with drug-free workplace policies,
enhancing safety and mitigating legal risks.