Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a detailed history of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair analysis can present an evaluation window of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drug presence. Hair is straightforward to obtain, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches composed of about 200 strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG and additional tests beyond 10 panels, a larger sample of 150mg is advised. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Synopsis
The primary phases in processing a drug testing sample in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial procedure of integrating a specimen into the lab’s system. This includes confirming the proper sealing and mailing of the sample, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening represents an initial brief examination for substance abuse. While Screening is economical for dismissing drug usage in the majority of samples, to be valid in legal contexts, a positive screen must undergo confirmation. Any samples indicated as positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If the Screening phase indicates a sample as presumptively positive, more hair is prepared from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration distinctly lower than other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), illustrating why hair drug analysis is one of the more challenging processes to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are preliminarily positive undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation receives scrutiny under CAP (College of American Pathologists) guidelines for Hair and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," this test examines the hair shaft and not the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Clay, KY
While traditional urine tests have been the norm, hair testing outperforms with its superior detection accuracy and reliability. In Clay, KY, hair testing offers more comprehensive insights into drug use patterns, outshining urine testing largely due to its extended detection periods and overall dependability.
Extended Detection Window in Clay, KY
Employers gain a broader perspective of an individual's substance use history up to 90 days back when utilizing hair follicle testing in Clay, KY. This comprehensive look into the past enables better-informed decisions about potential employees or current staff.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Clay, KY
Hair follicle tests in Clay, KY, significantly mitigate the potential for sample tampering, ensuring that results are both trustworthy and incontrovertible. The method’s robustness serves as a deterrent to adulteration attempts, guaranteeing authenticity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Clay, KY
Clay, KY-based and nationwide, our testing centers provide convenient access to quick and hassle-free services. Locally and across the U.S., employees, employers, and others can easily access our streamlined hair testing solutions with minimal inconvenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Clay, KY
The process for ordering and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and private, ensuring peace of mind in Clay, KY. Our protocol protects users' confidentiality while offering an easy-to-navigate system tailored to clients' needs.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Clay, KY
Our competitive pricing structures combined with swift result turnaround times offer excellent value. Organizations of all sizes in Clay, KY, find our services cost-effective and reassuringly efficient, aligning with their drug testing agendas.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Clay, KY
The precision and promptness of hair follicle drug tests make them a trustworthy choice. These tests deliver quick outcomes while ensuring high accuracy in tracking substance use, providing dependable information for various needs in Clay, KY.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Clay, KY
Implementing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and fostering safer working environments. Employers in Clay, KY, can rest assured that they are upholding high compliance standards while maintaining safety.
