Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands serve as an archive of drug and alcohol use history by embedding biomarkers in the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection span of nearly 3 months for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A specimen of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests surpassing 10 panels, a sample weight of 150mg is advisable. Measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in the lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab's system. This phase includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and doing any additional data entry that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result in this phase requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples testing positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests positive during Screening, extra hair is retrieved from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drug components are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), leading to hair drug screening being among the most challenging methods to carry out.
To confirm any positive screening outcomes, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. All samples indicating positive results are washed beforehand to prepare them for confirmation where necessary. The overall laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Center, KY
The benefits of hair testing surpass conventional urine tests with its superior detection accuracy and reliability. This testing method is trusted for its thoroughness.
Extended Detection Window in Center, KY
Hair follicle testing excels with a detection window extending up to 90 days, offering a more comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Center, KY
Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the chance of sample tampering, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results for an accurate drug history review.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Center, KY
The availability of our testing centers nationwide makes accessing drug testing services simple and hassle-free, ensuring testing is never out of reach.
Simple, Confidential Process in Center, KY
The process of ordering and receiving results is straightforward and private, maintaining confidentiality and ease for all parties involved in Center, KY.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Center, KY
We provide competitive pricing and speedy turnaround times, offering excellent value and peace of mind for companies of every size in Center, KY.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Center, KY
Hair follicle testing offers quick and precise results, setting it apart from other methods. Its ability to deliver high accuracy makes it a preferred choice in detecting substance use with minimal waiting time.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Center, KY
Employers in Center, KY, using hair follicle tests can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, bolstering legal compliance and workplace safety.
