Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term record of substance use by incorporating biomarkers within the strands as the hair grows. Harvested near the scalp, hair is capable of indicating alcohol and drug use for up to three months. It is easy to collect, challenging to alter, and straightforward to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness), provides 100mg, which is optimal for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It is best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar mass of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test outcome consist of four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is introduced into the lab system. This step ensures the sample's integrity in both sealing and shipping, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any missing data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary test for drug presence. Although it is a cost-efficient method for dismissing drug use in the majority of samples, any positive results from Screening necessitate confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening must undergo an additional confirmation test.
In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, further hair extraction from the original sample is conducted. During Extraction, the drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral swabs), making hair drug screening highly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive result acquired from Screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples suggesting a positive result receive a wash before the confirmation phase as required. The comprehensive process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is critically assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing in Bangor, ME, stands out over urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities. Unlike traditional urine screenings, hair tests track drug usage over an extended period. This makes hair testing particularly beneficial for obtaining a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, giving it an edge in accuracy and reliability over urine tests that offer only brief detection windows.
Employers and organizations prefer hair follicle testing for its ability to uncover long-term drug use, contrasting with the short-term snapshot provided by urine tests. The extended detection range of up to 90 days with hair testing ensures comprehensive evaluations, enhancing the reliability and efficacy of drug-free workplace policies in Bangor, ME.
Hair follicle testing is revered in Bangor, ME, for its extended detection window of up to 90 days, providing a thorough perspective of one's drug use history. This expanded timeframe allows employers and organizations to evaluate potential employees with greater insight into their past behavior, ensuring that long-term patterns of substance use are identified and addressed appropriately.
This prolonged detection period offered by hair testing is beneficial in environments requiring stringent monitoring of drug use. It ensures that individuals remain compliant over a longer duration, making hair follicle testing an essential tool for maintaining drug-free workplaces in Bangor by capturing a more extensive view of an individual's substance use activity.
One of the greatest advantages of hair follicle testing in Bangor, ME, is its resilience to tampering. Unlike other methods, hair samples are much harder to adulterate, preserving the test's integrity. This reliability ensures that results are trustworthy and unquestionable for both employers and legal entities, thus maintaining a high standard of accountability in drug testing processes.
The nature of hair follicle testing requires observed collection and cannot be easily manipulated, reducing the risk of sample tampering. This meticulous procedure provides assurance to all involved parties that the results accurately reflect the individual's drug use history, bolstering confidence in the efficacy of the testing method in Bangor.
Our extensive network of testing locations across the nation, including Bangor, ME, guarantees convenient access to hair follicle drug testing services. This nationwide reach ensures minimal delays in testing procedures, enabling individuals and organizations to undergo hassle-free testing, no matter where they are.
With multiple local facilities, Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes convenience and accessibility, streamlining the process for clients seeking reliable and efficient drug testing services. This nationwide presence allows us to provide prompt and professional testing solutions both locally in Bangor and beyond, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service.
The process of conducting hair follicle drug tests in Bangor, ME, is straightforward and confidential. We maintain strict privacy protocols from test ordering to results delivery, addressing any concerns clients might have about data security. This seamless procedure ensures a stress-free experience for all involved, upholding the utmost respect for client confidentiality.
At every step of the process, from scheduling appointments to receiving results, Accredited Drug Testing ensures simplicity and sensitivity to privacy. This focus on confidentiality not only boosts client confidence but also underlines our commitment to providing a user-friendly testing journey.
In Bangor, ME, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for our hair follicle drug tests. Our cost-effective solutions do not compromise on quality, supplying businesses of all sizes with quick, reliable services that do not strain budgets. This balance of affordability and precision ensures our clients receive unparalleled value in their drug testing endeavors.
Our fast turnaround times further enhance the value we offer, enabling clients to receive results promptly without unnecessary delays. Accredited Drug Testing remains dedicated to providing high-quality services at accessible rates, ensuring businesses in Bangor can confidently meet their drug testing needs.
In Bangor, ME, hair follicle drug testing is recognized for its fast and accurate results. This method swiftly identifies substance usage, proving invaluable for its precision in detecting a wide array of drugs. Through meticulous analysis, hair follicle tests ensure unparalleled accuracy in revealing drug activities, thus enabling reliable results that support critical decision-making processes in various industries.
With cutting-edge technology, hair follicle testing in Bangor guarantees rapid turnaround times, allowing organizations to make timely decisions based on definitive data. The method's high level of precision eliminates the worry of false positives or negatives, making it the preferred choice for businesses seeking clarity and trustworthiness in drug testing procedures.
Hair follicle testing offers Bangor employers peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method aids in reducing legal risks and fortifying workplace safety; the clarity and reliability of results allow employers to take necessary actions prudently. Hair testing fosters a safer working environment by giving employers the tools to enforce drug policies effectively.
By integrating hair follicle testing, businesses in Bangor, ME, bolster their compliance measures and minimize potential liabilities associated with substance abuse. This approach supports organizations in maintaining a safe and productive work atmosphere, thereby enhancing overall workplace harmony and security.