Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a long-lasting record of substances by sequestering biomarkers in the strands during growth. When cut near the scalp, hair can indicate alcohol and drug presence over a time span of up to about three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily manipulated, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), obtained from the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, extended panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. If head hair isn't an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair indicate scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, underarm).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system, ensuring it was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides an initial quick assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for excluding drug use in the majority of samples, any positive findings must be followed up with confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples testing positive during Screening need subsequent verification.
When a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing one of the more challenging methods to perform.
Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) standards for Hair and accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle drug tests to urine tests in Careywood, ID, hair testing emerges as the superior option. Benefits include:
Employers favor hair tests for their comprehensive insights into an individual's drug use history, unmatched by traditional methods.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage in Careywood, ID. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide insights into drug use over the past 90 days.
This broader timeframe allows employers to gain a full picture of an individual’s substance habits, enhancing their decision-making concerning employment and compliance with drug-free policies.
In Careywood, ID, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. Key advantages include:
These features ensure trustworthy outcomes for any testing requirement.
Convenient testing access is a priority in Careywood, ID. Our Nationwide network includes:
Our widespread testing centers emphasize simplicity and convenience for all.
Testing in Careywood, ID is a straightforward and confidential process. Process highlights:
These procedures aim to make testing stress-free while prioritizing confidentiality.
In Careywood, ID, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. Our commitment:
These benefits make our testing a cost-effective choice for all employers.
Hair follicle drug tests in Careywood, ID offer rapid, accurate, and reliable outcomes. Their high precision ensures effective detection of substance use, providing clear answers to employers and individuals alike.
The speed at which results are delivered is a significant advantage of hair testing. These tests can quickly identify drug use patterns, proving their reliability in various testing scenarios.
In Careywood, ID, hair follicle testing offers compliance and peace of mind for employers. Adopting this method helps maintain drug-free workplaces by adhering to strict testing standards.
Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced safety. By choosing hair follicle tests, companies demonstrate their commitment to a safe and compliant work environment.