Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. The hair keeps a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, it can allow for a detection span of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extras, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is preferred. Use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair. Should scalp hair be unattainable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we are exclusively discussing scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all additional hair categories (facial, armpit, etc.).
Process Outline
The pivotal stages in lab-processing a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the foundational processing of a sample within a lab’s framework. This entails ensuring the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-friendly method to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples that show a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower levels compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is notably challenging.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is conducted utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. For all presumptive positive samples, washing occurs before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Restrictions:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", it is the hair strand that is examined, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Avon, KY, hair follicle testing is preferred over urine testing due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which may only showcase recent drug use, hair testing offers an extensive overview, capturing a longer timeline of drug consumption.
The reliability of hair testing stems from its ability to detect a wider range of substances over an extended duration, presenting a comprehensive picture unmatched by traditional urine testing methods.
An extended detection window of up to 90 days is a significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Avon, KY. This extended timeframe allows employers to have a more thorough understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance use history.
Such a long detection period means employers in Avon, KY, gain a strategic benefit by having insights that extend well beyond what is captured in typical urine testing methods.
In Avon, KY, hair follicle testing is recognized for its tamper-resistant qualities. The integrity of hair samples is less susceptible to adulteration, ensuring the results are both reliable and uncontaminated.
These tests significantly reduce sample manipulation risks, giving peace of mind with results that are nearly impossible to falsify.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access nationwide, including Avon, KY. Our extensive network of testing centers offers hassle-free services, ensuring that individuals and employers can easily find a local facility.
This ease of access, combined with nationwide coverage, means that testing services are readily available wherever and whenever they are needed, streamlining the entire process.
The process for hair follicle testing in Avon, KY, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, every step is designed to prioritize privacy and ease of use.
Concerns about confidentiality are addressed, ensuring that personal and sensitive information is protected through a secure and straightforward testing journey.
Hair follicle testing in Avon, KY, is backed by affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. Our competitive rates provide excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes can access these services without breaking their budgets.
With a focus on efficiency and value, results are delivered quickly, giving employers timely insights to make informed decisions.
In Avon, KY, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. Quick and reliable results are crucial, and these tests achieve a high degree of accuracy in identifying substance use. Their efficiency not only saves time for employers but also ensures trustworthy outcomes for any testing scenario.
Fast processing and detailed results highlight the capability of hair testing to meet strict deadlines and provide a dependable assessment of substance history.
Employers in Avon, KY, find reassurance in hair follicle testing for maintaining a drug-free workplace. This method supports compliance with drug-free policies, reducing potential legal headaches and enhancing overall safety.
The reliability of results ensures that employees are adhering to company standards, establishing a safer and more productive work environment in the process.
