Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as a potent technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month window of substance use history for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to collect, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of approximately 200 strands (equal to the thickness of a #2 pencil) will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation tests. For assays involving EtG, additional panels, or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is recommended. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If head hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be obtained. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample is correctly sealed and shipped, allocates a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any outstanding data entry not processed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances that may be abused. Though Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive Screening needs legal confirmation to be used in court. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening require secondary verification.
Should a sample return a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and subjected to Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing a challenging method to execute.
Verification of positive Screening results is performed using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing of presumptive positive samples is done before confirmation. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mistakenly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing prevails over urine tests in Captain Cook, HI, due to its superior detection capabilities. While urine tests identify recent substance use, hair tests provide a far-reaching analysis, capturing a more extended history up to 90 days. This remarkable accuracy and reliability make hair testing the go-to choice for those seeking comprehensive insights into an individual's drug use habits.
A stand-out feature of hair follicle testing in Captain Cook, HI, is its ability to reveal drug use history over an extensive period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window gives employers a holistic view of an applicant or employee’s substance habits, unlike traditional methods, enabling better strategic decisions for workplace safety and productivity.
Opting for hair follicle testing in Captain Cook, HI, means embracing a tamper-resistant method that thwarts any attempts at sample adulteration. This testing approach dramatically minimizes interference, ensuring that results are reliable and irrefutable, providing stakeholders with the confidence that their drug testing practices are foolproof and credible.
Convenience is key with Accredited Drug Testing's network of facilities, including those in Captain Cook, HI. Our widespread locations make accessing drug testing services a breeze, streamlining the process for clients and ensuring swift, hassle-free service that aligns with the needs of businesses and individuals, no matter their location.
Simplicity and confidentiality are paramount in the hair follicle testing process in Captain Cook, HI. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step is designed with privacy and ease-of-use in mind. This straightforward process alleviates concerns about discretion and simplifies the experience, ensuring that clients feel secure and confident in the results provided.
In Captain Cook, HI, our competitive pricing model and prompt service deliver exceptional value. With an eye on affordability and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing solutions meet the demands of companies of all sizes, offering economic advantages without compromising on the high quality and accuracy of results essential for informed decision-making.
In Captain Cook, HI, the precision of hair follicle drug tests is unmatched. They offer a high degree of accuracy in substance detection, expediting results with remarkable speed. This cutting-edge approach ensures that employers receive reliable and swift information about potential substance use, lending confidence to their screening practices in a community that values integrity and efficiency.
Employers in Captain Cook, HI, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, a crucial component in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It mitigates legal risks and contributes to a safer working environment, allowing businesses to thrive on a foundation of trust and reliability while safeguarding their workforce and business operations.
