Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. This method captures identifiers in the hair shaft, providing an extended record of alcohol and other drugs. When harvested close to the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring roughly 1.5 inches made up of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp gives 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is preferable. It's advised to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. Referring to head hair means solely scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputs any further data not included by an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Even though Screening effectively rules out usage in most samples, a positive finding must be confirmed to be legally valid. All samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening require secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting why this method is considered challenging to conduct.
Positive screenings undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples marked presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often named "hair follicle tests", the procedure assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.
In Coventry Lake, CT, the benefits of hair follicle testing over urine testing are clear. Hair tests offer greater detection accuracy and reliability due to their extended detection window and tamper-proof nature. Traditional urine tests, while useful for recent use, don't match the hair test's long-term effectiveness.
Hair follicle testing in Coventry Lake, CT provides a longer detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to assess the substance history of potential or current employees comprehensively, contrasting with shorter-term tests like urine.
In Coventry Lake, CT, hair follicle tests significantly mitigate sample adulteration risks. This method is tamper-resistant, offering dependable and conclusive results. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests ensure the integrity of the sample collected, providing trustworthy data.
In Coventry Lake, CT, the convenience of our national testing network is evident. Wide-reaching testing centers make accessing services fast and hassle-free. Whether local or afar, testing is readily available, ensuring easy and quick compliance at numerous locations.
Coventry Lake, CT's drug testing procedure is straightforward and private. The process is simple—from ordering to testing to obtaining results—while ensuring confidentiality. This system addresses privacy concerns, fostering trust through ease of use and discreet handling.
Competitive pricing and rapid service define our drug testing offerings in Coventry Lake, CT. Affordable pricing structures coupled with quick turnaround times provide significant value, accommodating businesses of all sizes with reliable and prompt results.
The precision and timeliness of hair follicle drug tests in Coventry Lake, CT are unparalleled. Hair testing provides highly accurate detection of substance use, making it the preferred choice for swift results. In contrast to other methods, hair testing ensures high reliability, capturing a comprehensive picture without delay.
Hair follicle testing in Coventry Lake, CT aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and enhances safety by ensuring adherence to regulations, providing employers with peace of mind regarding substance use detection.
