Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a comprehensive history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the head, hair can offer approximately a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional testing, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is suggested. If head hair is lacking, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a sample in a laboratory system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may not supply.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is economical for ruling out drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be verified for legal evidence. Samples that test preliminary positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If Screening shows a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a challenging procedure.
Confirmation of any positive screen is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All probable positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the skin.
In Freeport, FL, the choice between hair follicle and urine drug testing often hinges on accuracy and reliability. Hair testing excels in several areas:
Unparalleled in its capability, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days in Freeport, FL. This feature provides employers with a comprehensive view into an individual's substance history, ensuring thorough background checks and informed decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Freeport, FL is known for its tamper-resistant nature. This testing method significantly decreases the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring the results are trustworthy and unquestionable. It thereby enhances the confidence of both employers and legal authorities.
With a network of convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Freeport, FL, accessing hair follicle testing is hassle-free. Our centers provide quick and easy services, making it more convenient for individuals and employers to carry out necessary drug testing procedures.
The process for hair follicle testing in Freeport, FL is simple and confidential. From ordering to test execution and result reception, we prioritize privacy and ease, addressing user concerns with a straightforward approach that protects personal data.
Accredited Drug Testing in Freeport, FL offers affordable pricing while ensuring fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures are designed to provide cost-effective solutions, ensuring excellent value for businesses of all sizes with speedy and reliable outcomes.
The hair follicle drug test stands out for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. In Freeport, FL, this method ensures high precision in detecting substance abuse, making it a leading choice for employers and legal entities alike.
Combining speed with accuracy, hair testing provides nearly instant validations, giving stakeholders confidence in the results obtained.
Employers in Freeport, FL can experience compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, mitigates legal risks, and fosters a safer workplace environment, providing assurance to companies and their workforce alike.
