Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug use. It provides a comprehensive history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over a period of around three months. It is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, additional tests, and those above 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to hair from the scalp, while "body hair" covers all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process of incorporating a sample into the lab's system. It includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any additional data entries if not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial and economical assessment for the presence of drugs of abuse. While it can effectively rule out drug use in many samples, any positive results must be confirmed for legal purposes. Presumptively positive samples from Screening need a secondary confirmation.
If Screening indicates a sample is presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for further preparation in Extraction. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid tests, which is why hair drug screening is particularly challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that test presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", such tests actually assess the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why do hair follicle tests outperform urine tests in Goodland, IN? The superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing make it far more effective. Employers see a benefit in hair analysis due to its comprehensive detection abilities, compared to the more conventional urine tests that might leave certain periods undetected.
In Goodland, IN, hair follicle testing excels in spotting drug use over an extended detection window, even up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a thorough overview of an individual’s substance history, which is critical for making informed recruitment decisions or maintaining workplace safety.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Goodland, IN, greatly curtails the opportunity for manipulating results. By relying on hair samples, the integrity of the test is preserved, yielding unquestionable outcomes that stakeholders can confidently trust.
The convenience of nationwide and local locations in Goodland, IN ensures streamlined access to hair follicle testing services. With multiple testing centers, clients can rely on quick and hassle-free processes, contributing to an efficient and stress-free experience.
Offering a simple and confidential process, Accredited Drug Testing in Goodland, IN emphasizes privacy and ease. From placing an order to receiving results, each step is designed with user-friendliness in mind, helping individuals navigate the testing procedure without concern for their personal data.
With affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, our services in Goodland, IN underscore value for companies of all sizes. We aim to not only meet but exceed service expectations, ensuring clients receive economic advantages alongside prompt and effective testing solutions.
Hair follicle tests in Goodland, IN, offer fast, accurate, and reliable results—making them a preferred choice for detecting drug use with unprecedented precision. Unlike some tests that may leave room for doubt, hair analysis provides clear and immediate insights into substance use, ensuring effective monitoring.
Employers in Goodland, IN gain peace of mind and ensure compliance with enforced drug-free workplace policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method minimizes legal risks while fostering a secure work environment, crucial elements of a sound occupational strategy.
