Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 90-day detection period for substances. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A strand cluster of 1.5 inches, roughly 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, ideal for initial testing and further confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is preferred. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advisable. If scalp hair is not available, the equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory process consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of entering a sample into the laboratory’s system. This phase confirms that the sample was securely sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for the presence of drugs. Though Screening offers an economical way to negate drug use in most samples, results that yield positive screens need validation for court admissibility. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared with alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging method.
Confirmation of any preliminary positive screen is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation where necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In San Castle, FL, hair follicle drug testing stands superior to traditional urine testing. Hair tests boast longer detection windows and higher reliability. While urinalysis shows recent use, hair testing gives a clearer long-term picture of substance use patterns, offering enhanced detection accuracy and confidence to employers.
Hair follicle testing in San Castle, FL, offers an extended detection window, uncovering drug use history that spans up to 90 days. This method provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use, going beyond the limitations of shorter-term solutions like urine tests.
With hair follicle testing in San Castle, FL, the security and integrity of drug test results are elevated. This robust testing method significantly minimizes the chances of sample tampering, ensuring that results remain credible and devoid of manipulation concerns.
Convenience is key with our nationwide testing centers, including locations in San Castle, FL. These easy-access facilities offer hassle-free testing services, ensuring that whether locally or across the nation, testing needs are met with speed and efficiency.
The hair follicle testing process in San Castle, FL, is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to completing it and receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any concerns about discretion or complexity.
San Castle, FL, businesses can benefit from our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing. Offering fast turnaround times and affordability, our services deliver outstanding value, catering to companies of varying sizes seeking reliable and cost-effective testing solutions.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in San Castle, FL, set them apart. Not only do they detect substance use with high accuracy, but results are also delivered rapidly and reliably. When time is of the essence, hair testing provides the quickest route to definitive answers, ensuring informed decisions based on solid evidence.
Employers in San Castle, FL, can rely on hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing guards against legal risks and fortifies workplace safety, offering employers peace of mind through enhanced assurance and streamlined policy adherence.
