Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has evolved into a critical method for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair contains a lasting record of substance intake by preserving biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collecting a sample close to the scalp can offer a detection range of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
An optimal sample consists of a 1.5-inch length of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yielding around 100mg. This quantity is ideal for both initial screenings and confirmatory tests. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding ten panels, a quantity of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing drug test outcomes consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage, where the sample is integrated into the lab's system, ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While a cost-efficient approach for negating drug usage in most samples, a positive result from Screening necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that yield presumptive positives require subsequent confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive result obtained during screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory method from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, excluding the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair testing in Avoca, IN, excels against traditional urine tests by offering superior detection capabilities. While urine only detects recent consumption, hair testing gives a broader view of substance use history. The extended detection window effectively identifies habitual use patterns, unlike the short-term snapshot provided by urine tests. This quality makes it invaluable for more thorough and accurate screenings, ensuring reliable outcomes.
With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Avoca, IN, identifies drug use spanning up to 90 days. This extensive period offers employers a comprehensive view of an individual's history with substances. Employers benefit from a wider picture, making informed decisions based on realistic and longitudinal evidence of substance usage, which is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
Hair follicle tests in Avoca, IN, offer a tamper-resistant testing method significantly reducing risks of sample alteration. The process is resistant to common cheating tactics, ensuring the validity of results. This reliability means that organizations can trust the results, making decisions based on integrity-assured data, and helping maintain fairness and compliance in policy enforcement.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations across Avoca, IN, and nationwide, providing quick and easy access to drug screening services. This wide network of centers ensures hassle-free scheduling and testing opportunities, accommodating busy schedules and providing reliable services, meeting clients’ needs swiftly and efficiently without hindrance.
In Avoca, IN, the hair follicle drug testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving results, the method ensures privacy and ease of use. Clients appreciate the straightforward approach that respects their confidentiality, offering a discreet and unintrusive screening process that prioritizes user comfort and security.
Our competitive pricing in Avoca, IN, coupled with fast turnaround times, delivers affordable testing solutions for all company sizes. The balance of cost-efficiency and rapid results ensures excellent value for money, aiding businesses in maintaining compliance without breaking the budget. It guarantees peace of mind, knowing quality service is accessible at reasonable rates.
Hair follicle drug tests in Avoca, IN, stand out for delivering quick and precise results. Accurate detection makes them an ideal choice for identifying substance use. The sophisticated method ensures accurate readings, providing a reliable and speedy analysis of drug and alcohol consumption. Employers and professionals highly regard this efficiency, enabling decisive actions based on accurate and swift insights.
Employers in Avoca, IN, using hair follicle testing comply with drug-free workplace policies effortlessly, ensuring peace of mind. These tests minimize legal liabilities and enhance workplace safety and productivity. By adopting comprehensive testing methods, employers can foster a safer and more compliant work environment, boosting overall organizational wellbeing and reputation.
