Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a comprehensive history of substance use by capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the target sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG extensions and/or panels over 10, 150mg of specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. When scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. “Head hair†refers specifically to scalp hair, while “body hair†includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning focuses on the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. It includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. While it serves as a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples that are initially positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If Screening indicates a sample is positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a more complex methodology.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used to confirm any positive screening result. All samples identified as positive are cleaned before confirmation, if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though sometimes termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In West Lealman, FL, hair follicle testing has several advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer superior detection capabilities and reliability.
This makes hair follicle tests a preferred choice for employers who require comprehensive drug screening.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended window for identifying drug use, up to 90 days before. In West Lealman, FL, this feature provides employers a detailed view of someone's substance use history.
This makes it a robust tool for assessing prospective and current employees.
In West Lealman, FL, the hair follicle testing method is known for being tamper-resistant, drastically minimizing the chances of sample alteration.
This provides peace of mind for employers seeking authentic drug use detection.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide centers, including in West Lealman, FL, providing straightforward access to services.
This ensures easy availability, making the process stress-free.
Our process in West Lealman, FL is simple and private, from ordering to taking the test and getting results.
We address any privacy concerns effectively, ensuring ease of use for all clients.
We emphasize affordability and quick turnaround times in West Lealman, FL. Our competitive pricing structure offers great value.
This offers peace of mind for companies, providing them with outstanding service at an excellent price.
When considering speed, accuracy, and dependability, hair follicle drug tests stand out in West Lealman, FL. Their high precision in identifying substance use ensures confidence in the results.
Employers and authorities find them indispensable for their need for fast, precise, and reliable drug detection methods.
Implementing hair follicle testing in West Lealman, FL enhances compliance and peace of mind for employers. It ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal exposure and boosting workplace safety.
Employers can maintain a secure and compliant workspace.
