Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a robust approach for identifying drug and alcohol use. It provides an extensive historical record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it allows for up to roughly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair is permissible. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This ensures the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any further data logging not covered by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening performs an initial swift analysis for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-saving and effective method to negate drug use in the bulk of samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples marked as presumptively positive in Screening mandate a subsequent verification.
Should a sample test presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is derived from the original specimen to proceed with Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any initial positive result occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation, if required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Heritage Village, CT, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several ways. With a much longer detection period, hair tests provide a detailed substance history, ensuring employers and authorities receive reliable and accurate data. Unlike urine testing, hair detection reduces the chance of manipulation, reinforcing its credibility.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended window for detecting drug use, stretching up to 90 days in Heritage Village, CT. This comprehensive timeframe allows employers to gain a more holistic view of an individual's substance history, aiding in more informed decisions in hiring and workforce management.
Hair follicle tests in Heritage Village, CT, are known for their tamper-resistant nature, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This reliable testing method ensures that results are beyond reproach, offering a trustworthy assessment that employers and legal entities can depend on.
Our testing centers in Heritage Village, CT, and nationwide locations ensure convenient access to drug testing services. This extensive network means that whether you're local or elsewhere, you can rely on us for quick, easy, and hassle-free hair follicle testing, aligning with your needs efficiently.
In Heritage Village, CT, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. Ordering and receiving results are straightforward, ensuring privacy is maintained at each step. Clients can rest assured knowing their information is secure and that tests are conducted smoothly and discreetly.
Our hair follicle testing services in Heritage Village, CT, offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Providing great value, these tests cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring they receive quality service without compromising on affordability. Our efficient service model means results are both prompt and budget-friendly.
The precision and swift turnaround of hair follicle drug tests in Heritage Village, CT, make them a top choice for accurate drug detection. These tests boast unparalleled accuracy, ensuring that substance use is reliably identified within a concise timeframe. The meticulous procedure adopted during hair follicle testing guarantees that results are both fast and credible.
Employers in Heritage Village, CT, achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies using hair follicle testing, enhancing workplace safety and reducing legal risks. This testing method provides peace of mind by ensuring a consistent and reliable assessment of employees' substance use, fostering a safer work environment.