Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of substances like alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within its growing strands. When procured near the scalp, hair has the potential to reflect up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or when exceeding 10 panels, 150mg might be required. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. In reference to head hair, the focus is solely on scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory procedure encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab system. This involves ensuring the sample's integrity in sealing and shipping, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry that isn't managed by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While this is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result demands further confirmation to be legally credible. Any samples that indicate a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate additional verification.
If a sample yields a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample source and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are isolated from hair at considerably reduced concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned as required before confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often described as "hair follicle tests", only the hair strand is analyzed, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Elkhart, IN, offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Accuracy and reliability are paramount, with hair tests providing a superior detection capability. Unlike urine tests, which may only detect recent use, hair analysis offers a broader perspective, making it nearly impossible for individuals to tamper or cheat the results.
In Elkhart, IN, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is unmatched, revealing substance use history for up to 90 days. This long look-back period offers employers detailed insights into an individual’s drug use, making it a vital tool for comprehensive employee evaluations.
Hair follicle tests in Elkhart, IN, present a robust method against tampering. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are nearly impossible to adulterate, ensuring that the results are reliable and trustworthy. This method reduces the risk of sample manipulation and provides results that can be confidently relied upon.
With convenient testing locations across the nation, including locally in Elkhart, IN, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to our services. Nationwide centers provide a seamless and hassle-free experience, catering to all testing needs promptly and efficiently.
The process for obtaining a hair follicle test in Elkhart, IN, is straightforward and respectful of privacy. The simple and confidential procedures ensure that from ordering the test to receiving the results, all steps are designed to protect client privacy while maintaining ease of use.
The services in Elkhart, IN, are set at affordable pricing levels with swift turnaround times, proving excellent value. Businesses, large and small, can benefit from our competitive rates, which promise cost-effectiveness without compromising on the speed of receiving accurate results.
In Elkhart, IN, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast and reliable results. The precision in detecting substance use makes them a preferred choice. Speed and accuracy are critical, and hair tests deliver on both fronts, helping employers make timely and informed decisions based on dependable data.
Employers in Elkhart, IN, benefit from the compliance and peace of mind that hair follicle testing provides. By adhering to zero-tolerance policies, businesses mitigate legal risks and bolster workplace safety, creating an environment where reliability and adherence to drug-free regulations are standard.
