Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively immune to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional checks, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair is an alternative. In relation to head hair, this specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in the processing of a drug test result within a laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory's procedure. This phase ensures the sample's seal and shipment integrity are checked, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective approach for excluding drug presence in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing as the most complex methodology.
Any positive screening outcomes undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Crider, KY, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing by offering a superior detection window and unmatched reliability. While urine tests focus on recent usage, hair tests reveal substance use over a more extended period, granting employers a comprehensive view of an individual's drug history. This broader detection capability makes hair tests the clear choice for deeper insights and enhanced job applicant screening.
Moreover, the reduced susceptibility to cheating in hair follicle tests further corroborates their superiority compared to traditional urine tests, making them the preferred option in rigorous testing scenarios.
Employers in Crider, KY, gain a significant advantage with hair follicle testing, which detects drug use for up to 90 days, providing a thorough view of an individual's substance habits. This extended window allows organizations to make informed decisions based on a long-term evaluation, distinguishing potential patterns that could be missed with shorter-range testing methods.
The enhanced detection period offered by hair tests in Crider ensures employers have a comprehensive representation of an applicant's or employee’s substance use history, vital for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace.
Hair follicle tests in Crider, KY, significantly mitigate tampering risks, ensuring unquestionable results. The inherent characteristics of hair samples defend against substitution or dilution attempts, providing a reliable testing method.
Accessible testing is a priority for hair testing services in Crider, KY, thanks to our broad network of testing facilities nationwide. This convenience ensures that individuals and organizations can easily locate nearby centers for hassle-free drug screening.
In Crider, KY, the hair follicle testing process emphasizes being both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy concerns are prioritized, ensuring that users feel secure throughout the testing experience.
Crider, KY, welcomes the affordability of hair follicle testing, coupled with speedy turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures make excellent value the standard for businesses of all sizes, ensuring that high-quality testing remains within reach and budgets.
Hair follicle drug tests in Crider, KY, are renowned for their precision and speed in delivering results. These tests boast high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring timely and credible outcomes. The efficiency of this testing method means minimized waiting periods and enhanced trust in the results obtained.
With hair follicle testing, individuals and organizations in Crider can rely on a method that consistently delivers accurate and reliable insights into drug use, affirming its place as a leading choice for thorough drug screening.
For employers in Crider, KY, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This effective testing method not only reduces potential legal risks but also enhances safety within the workplace by providing clearer insights into employee behavior.
