Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft, hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs. Collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection window spanning up to 3 months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and conveniently shipped.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It's recommended to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a corresponding quantity of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Procedure Summary
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry if not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary quick assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive Screening outcome need secondary confirmation.
For samples with a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair from the original specimen is prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although often described as "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests showcases superior detection in Youngstown, FL. Hair tests are more accurate, able to detect substances for up to 90 days. This extends the detection timeline considerably as urine tests only reflect recent use.
The extensive detection window of hair follicle testing is a critical advantage in Youngstown, FL. Unlike urine tests, which capture recent drug use, hair testing reveals substance use over up to 90 days.
This longer view aids employers and professionals in assessing long-term patterns in substance use, ensuring a thorough understanding of an individual's history for informed employment decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Youngstown, FL, stands resilient against tampering. The collection method makes substitution or adulteration of samples virtually impossible. The reliability of the method provides confidence in the results employers receive.
By ensuring integrity, hair tests deliver unquestionable results, supporting stringent workplace drug policies and court rulings with solid evidence.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessible testing services with centers nationwide and local to Youngstown, FL. Convenience is key as individuals can quickly and easily find testing locations without any hassle.
Services are designed to be efficient and user-friendly, supporting both corporate clients and individuals alike, offering health and safety compliance with minimal effort involved for the user.
The process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential in Youngstown, FL. Ordering, undergoing the test, and receiving results are streamlined for user ease while prioritizing privacy.
Stakeholders can rely on a straightforward experience, where confidentiality is maintained from start to finish.
Our competitive pricing structure in Youngstown, FL, ensures hair follicle testing is both affordable and efficient. The quick turnaround and competitive costs offer excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Clients receive the confidence of accurate results without excessive cost or delay, allowing them to make informed decisions promptly, supporting both large corporations and small businesses alike.
Hair follicle drug tests in Youngstown, FL, offer unmatched precision and speed. Thanks to advanced technology, these tests provide high-accuracy in detecting a wide range of substances. Employers can trust the results to be both fast and reliable, ideal for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
The precision of hair testing ensures comprehensive detection, reducing false negatives and offering peace of mind for decision-making processes in various sectors.
Using hair follicle testing in Youngstown, FL, promotes peace of mind and compliance with zero-tolerance policies. This method enhances safety by providing accurate details of an employee’s drug history. Employers reduce legal risks and maintain a safer environment.