Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mayking, KY

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting the presence of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand's structure as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 90-day detection period for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, with limited opportunity for tampering, and it can be easily transported.

A sample consisting of a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields around 100mg, the optimal quantity for initial screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable amount of body hair is a suitable alternative. When mentioning head hair, this specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair covers all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result entails four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase, involving the sample’s entry into the laboratory's workflow. This step verifies that the sample has been sealed and transported correctly, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug substances. While Screening offers an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, positive results require further confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples that yield a positive outcome in Screening must undergo an additional confirmation test.

For samples with a positive Screening result, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and processed for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration much lower than those in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation adhering to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Highly resistant to tampering: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, making results more reliable.
• Delivers historical usage patterns: It can illustrate a timeline of drug use, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and distinct hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the strand of hair rather than the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine analysis in Mayking, KY, the benefits of hair tests are evident. Hair tests offer significantly improved detection accuracy and reliability, identifying substance use over more extended periods.Comprehensive Results cover usage patterns that urine tests might miss, ensuring more robust assessments.

Substances are detectable in hair for up to 90 days, far exceeding the brief detection window typical with urine analysis, providing a more thorough view of individual compliance or violation trends.

Extended Detection Window

Hair testing in Mayking, KY reveals drug use over extended periods, up to 90 days, offering employers detailed insights into an individual's substance history. This broader detection window is invaluable for monitoring compliance with workplace policies or assessing applicant histories.

Employers can access a clear picture of potential habitual use or abstinence through hair tests, supporting informed hiring or disciplinary decisions without the constraints of limited detection seen in alternative methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Mayking, KY, the hair follicle testing approach effectively reduces sample adulteration, known in older methods. Hair tests toughen reliability and deliver undeniable results, strengthening confidence in outcomes for administrators and stakeholders.Secure Testing assures that submitted samples reflect genuine results, minimizing chances for tampering or inaccuracies.

Unlike some alternative testing methods, hair analysis's intrinsic security makes contamination or replacement of samples nearly impossible, rendering results far more trustworthy and objective.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a network of testing centers across the nation, including local facilities in Mayking, KY, our Convenient Nationwide Testing locations guarantee swift and seamless access to drug testing services.Effortless Access in numerous locations minimizes time spent on testing logistics and maximizes efficiency.

Our wide-spanning presence allows individuals and organizations to engage with testing services hassle-free, ensuring our comprehensive suite of testing capabilities is readily available whenever and wherever needed.