Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture a historical record of substance use by incorporating biomarkers into the growing hair. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, less susceptible to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, optimal for evaluation and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. It is best to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If there is no access to scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair mean scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab’s systems. This step ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid analysis for substance abuse. Though cost-effective for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive Screening outcome must receive confirmation for court acceptability. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further verification.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction step. During Extraction, substances are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other techniques (such as urine or saliva), adding to the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually assesses the hair strand and not the follicle located beneath the scalp
In Kingsley, KY, the advantages of hair follicle testing over conventional urine tests are numerous. As compared to urine testing, hair analysis offers heightened accuracy and reliability in detecting substance use. This makes it a preferred choice among employers seeking a dependable method to assess drug use.
The extended detection window of hair testing far surpasses urine tests. While urine tests may only detect recent usage, hair tests capture up to 90 days of substance history, offering superior detection clarity.
Employers in Kingsley, KY benefit from the hair follicle test's extensive detection window. Able to track drug use over up to 90 days, this method offers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.
This comprehensive view is crucial when evaluating an applicant or employee, providing insights into consistent or occasional substance use, thus aiding informed decisions.
The risk of tampering is substantially minimized with hair follicle testing in Kingsley, KY. Unlike other testing methods, altering or contaminating hair samples is nearly impossible.
Hair follicle tests deliver results that are reliable and cannot be manipulated, ensuring trust and accuracy in the testing outcome. This provides insurance against questionable results caused by sample tampering.
Accredited Drug Testing facilitates convenience through its nationwide and local testing locations in Kingsley, KY. Our extensive network guarantees easy access to services wherever you are.
With locations spread across the country, receiving quick and hassle-free testing is simple, supporting individuals and companies needing reliable drug testing solutions close to home.
Our hair follicle testing in Kingsley, KY is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to results, the process maintains privacy and ease for the user.
Confidentiality is prioritized at every step, ensuring users are comfortable with the process while maintaining quick access to accurate results, crucial for both employers and individuals seeking discrete services.
Competitive pricing and quick turnaround are hallmarks of Accredited Drug Testing in Kingsley, KY. We provide value-packed services tailored to meet the needs of businesses, ensuring cost-efficiency.
Our affordable rates coupled with fast results make hair follicle testing accessible and practical, allowing companies of all sizes to implement essential testing without the burden of high costs.
In Kingsley, KY, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and accuracy. Utilizing advanced technologies, these tests deliver results that are both precise and fast, ensuring prompt detection of substance use.
With hair follicle testing, substance detection is highly accurate, making it a reliable choice. When time is of the essence, these tests provide immediate insights, reinforcing their standing as a fast, trustworthy testing method.
Hair follicle testing brings peace of mind to employers in Kingsley, KY by ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. This reduces potential legal risks and fosters a safe workplace environment.
Implementing hair follicle testing aligns with company guidelines, assuring that drug-free standards are met consistently, which is crucial for maintaining organization culture and trust among employees.
