Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it develops. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to an approximately 3-month detection span for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into a lab’s procedures. This process includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a primary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be acceptable in legal settings. Samples showing preliminary positive results in Screening require additional confirmation.
If a sample reflects presumptive positivity during Screening, extra hair is retrieved from the initial sample for Extraction preparation. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (for example, urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When weighing the effectiveness of hair follicle versus urine drug testing in Eglin AFB, FL, hair tests clearly excel. These examinations provide superior accuracy and reliability, offering extended detection periods compared to traditional urine tests. Employers gain invaluable insights with this advanced method, ensuring enhanced assessment of substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Eglin AFB, FL, provides the advantage of a much longer detection window for assessing drug use. Able to trace substances for up to 90 days, this method grants employers a comprehensive look at an individual's substance use history, offering greater overview than shorter-term urine tests.
With hair follicle testing implemented in Eglin AFB, FL, risks related to sample tampering are greatly diminished. This method provides results that are both reliable and resistant to manipulation, fostering confidence in the outcome's validity, unlike more easily altered urine tests.
Convenience is assured with our wide network of testing centers across the nation, including local access in Eglin AFB, FL. This ensures swift, simple, and stress-free testing for your needs, supported by our extensive network of facilities.
At Eglin AFB, FL, the hair follicle testing process is streamlined and confidential. Ordering, administering, and receiving results are handled with discretion, ensuring privacy and ease throughout, crucial for those concerned about confidentiality.
In Eglin AFB, FL, our hair follicle testing is not only competitive in price but also offers fast turnaround times. This provides exceptional value and reassurance for businesses of varying sizes, demonstrating a balance of cost-effectiveness and speed.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests stand out remarkably in Eglin AFB, FL. Not only do they offer results with high accuracy, but these tests also detect a broad spectrum of substances reliably. This efficiency makes them a prime choice for employers seeking trustworthy data in minimal time.
Implementing hair follicle drug testing in Eglin AFB, FL, aids businesses in maintaining compliant drug-free work environments. This approach is instrumental in mitigating legal risks, with its dependable nature offering robust support to workplace safety protocols.
