Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record by encasing biomarkers within its growing fibers. By gathering hair near the scalp, a detection window for alcohol and drugs spans up to 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) near the scalp provides 100mg, perfect for screening and verification. For EtG, additional elements, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair isn't an option, body hair of equal measure can be used. By head hair, we mean exclusively scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The primary stages of lab processing for drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first phase, introducing a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any pending electronic chain of custody data entry.
Screening offers an initial drug usage assessment. It is an economical measure for eliminating drug usage in most cases, but a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. All presumptively positive samples in Screening require follow-up confirmation.
Presumed positives in the Screening phase undergo further hair removal from the initial sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening quite challenging.
Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Positive samples presumptively undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
When comparing the advantages of hair testing over traditional urine tests in Alcoma, FL, it becomes evident that hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. The thoroughness of hair tests provides a greater assurance that prior substance use is accurately identified, giving these methods a clear edge over urine-based assessments.
By employing hair follicle testing in Alcoma, FL, the extended detection window up to 90 days offers a comprehensive assessment of an individual's drug use history. This longer insight allows employers to gain a clear understanding of an applicant or employee's past substance interactions, which can be critical for maintaining a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle tests in Alcoma, FL present a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration. This secure process provides confidence in the results, ensuring they are reliable and beyond dispute, which is vital for upholding stringent standards in drug testing.
Alcoma, FL benefits from the convenient availability of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide and local testing locations. This wide-reaching network ensures that individuals and companies have quick, easy, and hassle-free access to reliable testing services, whenever needed.
In Alcoma, FL, our drug testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. This approach ensures that individual concerns about discretion are addressed effectively, enhancing user experience.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Alcoma, FL provides exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures, combined with swift result delivery, assure companies of excellent service and dependability.
In Alcoma, FL, hair follicle testing offers fast, accurate, and reliable drug detection results. Its precision in identifying substance use surpasses other methods, ensuring that detection is not only swift but highly trustworthy. Hair follicle tests excel in delivering quality outcomes that employers and other authorities can depend on.
Employers in Alcoma, FL can achieve compliance and peace of mind by implementing hair follicle testing within their drug-free policy frameworks. This testing method not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances safety across the workplace, fostering a secure and responsible work environment.
