Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, and the sample is resistant to tampering, allowing for easy transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, add-ons, or tests involving more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (including facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for a drug test consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the beginning of sample processing in the lab's system. This stage includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) at random, and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is the initial phase for quickly detecting drugs of abuse. While Screening is economical for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive results must be confirmed for legal validity. Samples testing positive during Screening require further confirmation.
For samples testing positive during Screening, extra hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from the hair at much lower levels than with methods like urine or oral fluid testing, making hair testing more challenging.
Positive results from Screening are confirmed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed when necessary before confirmation. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", this analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in La Center, KY, reveals distinct advantages. Hair tests offer unmatched detection accuracy and reliability.
Employers benefit from hair tests due to their extensive detection period, making them superior in identifying consistent drug use compared to urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in La Center, KY, provides an extensive detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.
Unlike shorter-term urine tests, hair tests give a broader perspective on drug use, aiding in more informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests in La Center, KY, dramatically diminish the risk of tampering. This method delivers reliable and unquestionable results, making it a prime choice for employers.
The inherent difficulty in adulterating hair samples ensures the integrity and accuracy of the test results.
With nationwide testing centers and local options in La Center, KY, accessing hair follicle testing services is convenient and hassle-free.
Testing locations' widespread availability ensures that individuals and companies can easily access the services they need without delay.
In La Center, KY, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. This approach respects privacy while ensuring ease of access and result retrieval.
The simplicity of this process assures participants of their data's confidentiality, providing comfort throughout the testing procedure.
La Center, KY, offers hair follicle testing with affordable pricing and fast turnaround. This provides excellent value and reassurance for businesses of every size.
Competitive pricing structures, coupled with swift result delivery, make hair testing a cost-effective choice for companies.
In La Center, KY, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and quick results. This method offers high accuracy in identifying substance use, enabling informed decisions swiftly.
With hair testing, the reliability of the results is heightened. It accurately identifies long-term drug use patterns, differentiating it from other testing methods.
For La Center, KY employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and fosters a safer work environment.
Implementing hair testing enhances peace of mind for employers, safeguarding their workforce against substance abuse.
