Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments have gained recognition as a robust means for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair archives a prolonged record of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the developing hair shaft. When procured near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeline of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp constitutes 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary analyses, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advised to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair might be collected. When specifying head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four essential steps in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab’s workflow. This step includes ensuring the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary swift assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is budget-friendly for excluding drug usage in the majority of samples, a screened positive necessitates confirmation to be legitimate in legal contexts. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening require secondary validation.
If a sample is ostensibly positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This step extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus rendering hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.
Confirmation of any screening positive is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Extended Detection and Accuracy
In Lake Village, IN, hair testing offers significant advantages over urine tests. While traditional tests might miss substances, hair tests excel in detection.
Reliability at Its Best
Beyond accuracy, hair tests offer a more reliable option, effectively screening for numerous substances without the drawbacks of traditional urine tests.
Comprehensive Drug History
Employers in Lake Village, IN gain insights over a 90-day period through hair follicle testing, providing a full picture of substance use history.
Advanced Detection Window
By covering an extended detection range, hair testing offers a unique advantage, allowing employers to make informed decisions based on a candidate's behavior over time.
Reducing the Risk of Adulteration
The robustness of hair follicle tests in Lake Village, IN minimizes sample tampering risks, ensuring results stand up in any scrutiny.
Secure and Reliable Testing
Hair tests maintain sample integrity with a greater level of security than other methods, effectively guarding against potential manipulation.
Convenient Testing Sites
With facilities across Lake Village, IN and nationwide, we ensure hair testing is convenient and accessible wherever needed.
Streamlined Access to Services
Our network of testing centers guarantees swift and easy access to drug testing, minimizing hassle and downtime.
Effortless Process
In Lake Village, IN, ordering and executing hair tests is as simple as it gets, prioritizing user friendliness and discretion.
Confidentiality Guaranteed
We uphold privacy in every step of the process, assuring the client's confidentiality from testing to results delivery.
Competitive Pricing
Lake Village, IN benefits from our affordable drug testing services, delivering great returns without straining budgets.
Swift Results Delivery
Our expedited turnaround times guarantee timely results that meet the demands of all industry sectors.
Speed and Precision in Detection
In Lake Village, IN, hair follicle drug tests deliver swift and accurate results. Their precision in identifying substance use sets them apart.
Unmatched Accuracy
Hair tests exhibit superior accuracy compared to alternative methods, ensuring no substance use goes unnoticed. The reliability of these tests is unparalleled.
Compliance Comfort
Hair follicle testing assists employers in Lake Village, IN in complying with drug-free policies, minimizing legal concerns and boosting worker safety.
Enhanced Workplace Assurance
The adoption of hair testing creates a safety net, ensuring every employee aligns with the set organizational standards while promoting peace of mind.