Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. It offers an extended history of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When procured close to the scalp, hair can serve as a means of detecting alcohol and other drugs for as long as approximately 3 months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's recommended to determine the specimen's weight using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in laboratory processing for drug testing results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This phase ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid check for substance misuse. Although Screening effectively eliminates drug usage suspicions for most samples, any positive findings must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug analysis as the most demanding methodology to execute.
Any positive result from Screening is confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In North Peninsula, FL, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine testing methods. The key benefits include superior detection accuracy and dependability. Hair tests can identify drug use over extended periods, unlike urine tests which have a much shorter detection timeframe. This makes hair testing a preferred choice for entities seeking comprehensive assessments.
Employers in North Peninsula, FL, leverage hair follicle testing due to their 90-day detection window. This extended timeframe provides a holistic view of an individual's substance use history, making it an ideal tool for employers who require in-depth insights into an applicant or employee's past drug use.
Conducting hair follicle tests in North Peninsula, FL, is a secure option, drastically reducing the likelihood of sample tampering. The method ensures reliable results, reinforcing the test's credibility as it is notably tamper-resistant and delivers trustworthy outcomes every time.
Our nationwide testing centers, including those in North Peninsula, FL, offer convenient and accessible services, making it easy for individuals to undertake hair follicle tests. This wide network ensures fast and easy access, enhancing user experience by minimizing hassle.
The hair follicle testing process in North Peninsula, FL, is straightforward and private. Individuals can enjoy a simple, confidential experience when ordering, taking tests, and receiving results. This boosts privacy, making it a stress-free process for all involved.
In North Peninsula, FL, hair follicle testing is priced competitively to provide affordability while maintaining quality. With fast turnaround times, companies can rely on receiving swift results without breaking the bank, ensuring excellent value across the board.
Located in North Peninsula, FL, centers offer swift, precise, and dependable hair follicle drug tests. These tests are celebrated for their high level of accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring that clients receive reliable results quickly. Speed and accuracy are critical in drug testing, and hair tests deliver on both fronts, offering peace of mind with every screening.
North Peninsula, FL, employers can achieve compliance and maintain workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. By reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, this method offers peace of mind to employers, ensuring a healthier, compliant workforce.
