Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair serves as a long-term timeline for the use of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within its fiber matrix. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection range of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, somewhat secure from tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample size of 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and testing that involves more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. In instances where scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. The term head hair solely pertains to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Overview of the Process
The primary steps in laboratory processing of a drug testing result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This stage ensures that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for abuse drugs. While it is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen needs to be substantiated to hold up in court. Samples marking a presumptive positive at this stage require subsequent confirmation.
When a sample is deemed presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo a wash before confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and it adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of Hair Drug Testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite being colloquially termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Lewis, IA offers distinct advantages over traditional urine analyses. Hair tests surpass in detection accuracy and are challenging to deceive. Unlike urine, hair tests monitor drug usage over prolonged periods, capturing a broader history. This comprehensive view is invaluable for employers maintaining strict drug-free policies.
By choosing hair testing over urine, businesses and legal bodies can ensure a more reliable assessment of drug use history. This advanced method elevates detection standards, providing accuracy and reliability unmatched by traditional urine tests.
In Lewis, IA, hair follicle drug testing provides an extensive detection timeline that greatly surpasses other testing options. With a window of up to 90 days, it enables employers to gain a more holistic understanding of an individual’s drug use history, making it a superior choice.
This longer detection period plays a crucial role for employers who need thorough insights into an applicant or employee's history, helping in making informed hiring and retention decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Lewis, IA offers a secure method that significantly prevents tampering. By analyzing hair samples, the test minimizes risks associated with adulteration that plague urine tests. This rigorous process provides trustworthy results, fostering confidence in the testing outcomes.
Employers value the integrity of hair testing, as its tamper-resistant nature ensures reliable data about substance use, reducing doubts and ensuring compliance with policies.
Lewis, IA residents have access to a vast network of testing locations, offering unmatched convenience. With numerous centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to hair follicle testing for all.
The widespread availability of testing facilities simplifies the process, providing quick, seamless, and stress-free testing experiences for individuals and employers alike.
In Lewis, IA, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring privacy for all participants. From ordering to testing and results, each step maintains user confidentiality while being straightforward.
This user-friendly approach addresses privacy concerns, offering a discreet and efficient testing experience that respects personal and professional boundaries.
Affordability meets efficiency in Lewis, IA with our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Employers of any size can benefit from our cost-effective testing solutions that deliver reliable results fast.
Our pricing structures ensure that companies can access top-tier drug testing services without compromising on speed or quality, reinforcing value and peace of mind.
In Lewis, IA, the swiftness and precision of hair follicle drug tests make them an unmatched choice. Hair testing technology captures drug traces efficiently, ensuring high accuracy. With state-of-the-art techniques, these tests identify substances at a molecular level, offering certainty in results. The streamlined approach allows quick processing, delivering reliable outcomes swiftly and with precision.
For those in need of prompt and precise drug assessments, the hair follicle drug test stands out as the gold standard. This test excels not just in speed but also in detecting substance use accurately, making it an indispensable tool for employers.
For employers in Lewis, IA, hair follicle testing aligns seamlessly with drug-free workplace policies, ensuring compliance and peace of mind. Implementing this method reduces legal exposure and enhances workplace safety by verifying employee integrity.
By adopting hair testing, companies not only meet regulatory standards but also cultivate a safe and compliant working environment, benefitting overall workplace culture and security.
