Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The detection of drug and alcohol use has increasingly relied on hair testing as an effective method. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection span of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to manipulate, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of about 200 strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal specimen for testing and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we refer to scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The process in the lab for determining drug test outcomes encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial sample processing into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, attaches a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is an initial short check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is economically efficient for negating drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
In cases where a sample tests tentatively positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing methodology.
The validation of a positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples undergo cleansing, if necessary, prior to confirmation. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the scalp-embedded hair follicle.
In Barclay, KS, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in multiple areas. It provides superior detection accuracy, making it a trusted choice for employers prioritizing rigorous substance use monitoring. While urine tests cover a shorter detection window, hair testing offers an extended observation period, furnishing a more thorough understanding of an individual's substance use habits.
In Barclay, KS, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window that reaches up to 90 days, capturing a broader snapshot of an individual's substance history. This extended window equips employers with a detailed assessment of an applicant or employee's drug use history, crucial for informed decision-making in workplace settings where substance use policies are closely monitored.
Hair follicle tests in Barclay, KS, are inherently resistant to tampering, making them a reliable choice for ensuring accurate results. Unlike other methods, hair testing is less susceptible to adulteration, thereby delivering trustworthy and incontrovertible findings. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for environments demanding high standards of proof in drug testing outcomes.
With several convenient testing centers both nationwide and locally in Barclay, KS, clients can access quick and hassle-free drug testing services. These centers are strategically located to offer seamless access to hair follicle testing, ensuring that individuals and businesses in Barclay have easy access to trusted and efficient drug testing solutions.
In Barclay, KS, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, the steps are streamlined, making it easy for everyone to participate and benefit from reliable testing without the burden of complexity.
Hair follicle testing in Barclay, KS, offers competitive pricing combined with rapid turnaround times, delivering superior value for businesses of every size. This approach helps companies maintain peace of mind while managing their budgets effectively, ensuring that drug testing remains both a feasible and essential component of workplace policies.
For individuals and businesses in Barclay, KS, hair follicle drug tests offer quick, reliable, and precise results. This form of testing identifies traces of substances that might otherwise go unnoticed by more traditional testing methods. This precision is crucial for employers who aim to uphold high safety standards and ensure that their workplaces are completely free of substance misuse.
Using hair follicle testing in Barclay, KS, provides employers with peace of mind, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. This method helps mitigate legal liabilities and improves workplace safety by maintaining rigorous standards in drug detection, thus enhancing the overall security and integrity of the professional environment.
