Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests are now recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a developing hair strand, hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection range up to an estimated 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (roughly matching a #2 pencil’s size) near the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, perfect for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a proportional amount of body hair can be collected. When addressing head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair; body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process within the lab for processing drug test results spans four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab’s database. This stage ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening offers a primary rapid analysis for drug presence. Though cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening demand further confirmation.
When a sample yields a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most intricate method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screen is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and meets ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing excel over urine tests in Lake Santee, IN? The foremost reason is superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair testing offers a broader analysis over an extended timeframe, thus demonstrating exceptional reliability and reducing false negatives. It provides a more comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history, ensuring informed decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Lake Santee, IN offers a remarkable extended detection window, ultimately capturing drug use patterns over the course of 90 days. This long-range analysis grants employers a deeper understanding of potential substance use, surpassing the limited scope of urine tests and delivering a well-rounded profile for either applicants or current employees, enhancing workplace safety.
Secure and tamper-resistant, hair follicle testing dramatically reduces the risk of sample adulteration in Lake Santee, IN. Thanks to the collection process which is closely observed, results are reliable and formal, ensuring that the test outcomes are trustworthy and can be legally upheld, thus supporting organizations in maintaining integrity within their workforce.
With Accredited Drug Testing, experience the convenience of nationwide testing locations coupled with local access in Lake Santee, IN. We ensure our testing services are not only quick and easy to access but also designed to save time and streamline processes for clients, making us a trusted partner in managing drug and alcohol testing needs across the country.
The process of hair follicle testing in Lake Santee, IN is simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, we prioritize privacy and ease of use, thereby addressing any concerns clients may have regarding data protection. Our streamlined approach ensures that each step—from scheduling to analysis—is handled with discretion and efficiency.
Our hair follicle testing services in Lake Santee, IN come with affordable pricing and fast turnaround. We are committed to providing excellent value by ensuring competitive costs without compromising the quality of our testing. This ensures businesses of all sizes can benefit from our services swiftly and economically.
In Lake Santee, one key advantage of hair follicle drug testing is its high precision and reliability. These tests are designed to ensure accurate detection of substance use, providing results you can trust. What's more, the speed of process allows for fast outcomes, ensuring minimal downtime and swift insights into potential concerns, a critical factor for employers and concerned parties.
In Lake Santee, IN, utilizing hair follicle testing can effectively ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By implementing this robust testing method, employers are furnished with the peace of mind that comes from reduced legal risks and enhanced safety. This compliance is a crucial step towards fostering a secure and productive work environment.
