Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a long-term overview of alcohol and drug use by locking in biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advise using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If head hair is lacking, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. By head hair, we strictly mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a sample into a lab's database. This entails verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair drug screening's complexity as a methodology.
Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suggesting positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Crawfordsville, IN, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests in terms of detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can capture a history of substance use extending over a longer time. These advantages make hair testing a preferred choice among employers seeking in-depth assessment of substance behavior.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use. This long-term detection allows employers in Crawfordsville, IN, to gain insight into an employee's or applicant's drug history, making it a powerful tool for maintaining workplace safety.
Hair follicle tests significantly curb the chances of sample adulteration in Crawfordsville, IN. Their resilient collection methods provide results that are trustworthy and difficult to contest, ensuring that samples remain untouched and reliable from collection to analysis.
Our nationwide and local testing centers around Crawfordsville, IN, provide convenient access to drug testing services. With an extensive network, testing is quick and simple, minimizing hassle and saving time for both testers and organizations.
The drug testing process in Crawfordsville, IN, is straightforward and confidential. The simple steps for ordering, executing, and receiving results ensure privacy and ease, addressing individuals' concerns about personal data and simplifying the testing experience.
Our drug testing services in Crawfordsville, IN, offer competitive pricing coupled with fast turnaround times. This combination guarantees excellent value, providing companies, regardless of size, with cost-effective solutions without compromising on service quality or speed.
Crawfordsville, IN, takes pride in offering precise and swift hair follicle drug tests. They are trusted for their high accuracy in detecting substance use, delivering reliable results quicker than traditional methods. Their process ensures that results are both fast and accurate, providing peace of mind for users.
Using hair follicle testing in Crawfordsville, IN, supports employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing employers with the peace of mind that comes from adhering to regulations effectively.
