Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, offering a historical record of substance use. Collecting hair near the scalp allows for up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equal quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves initial processing into the lab’s system, ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary drug abuse check. It is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples; however, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening need additional verification.
For presumptively positive samples, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction, where drugs are extracted at lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.
Confirmation of any positive screening involves GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any samples that are presumptively positive are washed if necessary before confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Schleswig, IA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by offering more accurate and reliable drug detection. Hair tests have a longer detection period, ensuring a broader view of an individual's substance use over time.
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests provide a clear and extensive examination of past behavior.
Benefits include:
Hair testing facilitates detection over an extended 90-day window in Schleswig, IA. This broad perspective allows employers to evaluate substance use histories comprehensively, leading to more informed decisions regarding potential hires or current employees.
The extended detection window ensures a meticulous examination, beyond what urine screenings can offer, painting a clearer picture of the past three months.
Key Advantages:
In Schleswig, IA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method, significantly curbing sample adulteration risks. This secure approach ensures that results are authentic, fostering confidence in the testing process.
Unlike urine tests, hair tests make it nearly impossible to falsify results, thus providing credible and unquestioned outcomes.
Characteristics Include:
With a vast network of testing locations nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience in Schleswig, IA. Having easily accessible testing facilities ensures swift and simple testing processes for all individuals and organizations.
This network facilitates quick and straightforward access, contributing to a stress-free testing experience.
Location Advantages:
The process for hair follicle testing in Schleswig, IA is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step ensures privacy and user-friendliness.
Concerns over confidentiality are addressed, ensuring results are managed properly and securely.
Simplified Approach:
In Schleswig, IA, hair follicle testing offers not just quick turnaround but also affordable pricing, making it an excellent value for businesses of every size. Competitive pricing ensures you get more without straining budgets.
Fast results paired with manageable costs deliver exceptional peace of mind.
Key Benefits:
The hair follicle drug tests offer amazing speed and accuracy for detecting substances in Schleswig, IA. Their incredible precision ensures that test results are delivered fast, leaving no room for doubt about substance use.
With a high degree of accuracy, hair follicle tests are dependable for individuals and organizations alike, confirming with clarity any substance intake.
Employers in Schleswig, IA benefit from hair follicle testing as it maintains compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This commitment not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety.
Such reliable testing enables peace of mind, ensuring adherence to workplace standards and policies.
Emphasized Benefits:
