Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Using hair testing has emerged as an influential means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When acquired near the scalp, it can yield a detection timeframe of about 3 months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.
Taking a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, serving as the optimal sample for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. In cases where scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in the laboratory follows four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step confirms the sample's proper sealing and transportation, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not available through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves an initial quick examination for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, confirmation of a positive screen is required for legal purposes. Samples that are suspected to be positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If the Screening step indicates a presumptive positive result, additional hair from the original sample is taken for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at much lower levels compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screens is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine methods offers numerous advantages in Titicus, CT. With superior detection capabilities, hair tests deliver more reliable substance use analysis. This method surpasses urine tests by providing extensive and accurate detection windows, ensuring a high standard of trust in the results.
Hair follicle testing in Titicus, CT offers an extended window of drug detection, spanning up to 90 days. This capability provides employers with an extensive overview of an individual's substance use history, which is crucial for informed decision-making and enhancing workplace safety and policy compliance.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests is a significant advantage in Titicus, CT. It greatly minimizes the risk of tampering with the sample, ensuring results that can be trusted. This security level gives employers confidence in the integrity and reliability of the testing process.
With our convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Titicus, CT, acquiring drug tests is hassle-free. The broad network ensures fast and easy access to testing services while maintaining the utmost convenience, thus meeting the demands of individuals and businesses efficiently.
Simplicity and confidentiality define the hair follicle drug testing process in Titicus, CT. Our streamlined approach ensures easy ordering, taking, and result receipt processes, all while safeguarding individuals' privacy. This transparency and user-friendly system address any concerns about data security and ease of access.
Our affordable pricing models and swift result turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Titicus, CT an excellent investment for businesses of any size. They provide value by ensuring minimal disruption to operations and offering peace of mind with cost-effective and timely service delivery.
When it comes to drug testing, the rapidity and precision of hair follicle tests in Titicus, CT stand out. These tests are designed to provide fast and highly accurate results for detecting substance intake. Their ability to pinpoint drug usage is unmatched, making them a preferred choice for employers seeking quick and reliable substance testing methods.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Titicus, CT elevates employers' ability to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only supports a safe work environment but also reduces legal risks. Therefore, it grants employers essential peace of mind regarding their workplace drug policy adherence.