Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term record of substance use by encasing biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug intake for up to about three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This process includes confirming the sample was sealed correctly and dispatched well, assigning a secular LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input absent in an electronic chain of custody arrangement.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs. Though Screening offers a cost-effective means to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result from Screening must be confirmed before it is court-admissible. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening demand further confirmation.
In the event of a tentative positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are removed from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most complex method to execute.
Any positive findings from Screening are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All tentative positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Campbellsburg, KY, hair follicle testing has proven superior to traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests limited to recent drug use, hair testing identifies substance use for up to 90 days, offering a broader insight into individuals' habits. For employers, this means enhanced detection accuracy and reduced risks of false negatives. Hair tests are virtually tamper-proof, providing robust results to support informed decision-making.
Employers in Campbellsburg, KY benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests. These tests can reveal a history of substance usage for up to 90 days, compared to the short window provided by urine tests. This longer timeframe offers companies a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's drug habits, leading to better recruitment and retention decisions.
One of the major advantages of hair follicle testing, especially in Campbellsburg, KY, is its tamper-resilient nature. Unlike other methods vulnerable to adulteration or substitution, hair testing significantly minimizes these risks. This ensures the integrity of results, providing reliable evidence of an individual's substance use history, which cannot be easily manipulated.
Our extensive network of testing centers in Campbellsburg, KY and across the nation makes drug testing accessible and convenient. These strategic locations ensure that individuals and employers can quickly and easily obtain the testing services they need without the hassle of lengthy travel times, providing crucial support for maintaining workplace standards.
The process of hair follicle testing in Campbellsburg, KY is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step prioritizes user privacy and convenience. This ensures that individuals and employers can perform necessary drug tests without concerns over data security or complicated procedures.
Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in Campbellsburg, KY delivers both affordability and rapid results. This cost-effective solution ensures businesses of all sizes can access reliable drug testing, helping reduce risks and maintain employee safety without straining financial resources. Quick turnaround times further enhance service value.
Hair follicle drug testing in Campbellsburg, KY delivers prompt and precise outcomes. The thoroughness of this technique ensures that substance usage is accurately detected, providing peace of mind for both individuals and organizations. With advancements in technology, results are delivered efficiently, making hair testing a highly reliable method for screening, without unnecessary delays.
By choosing hair follicle testing in Campbellsburg, KY, employers ensure compliance with rigorous drug-free policies. This enhances workplace safety and minimizes legal liabilities. With reliable results that can't be easily contested, companies maintain a trustworthy workforce, fostering a safer and more productive environment for all employees.
