Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a substantial timeline of drug or alcohol history by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. When hair samples are taken close to the scalp, they can detect the presence of alcohol and drugs for a period extending up to three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and transportation is uncomplicated.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of nearly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) taken from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for initial testing and verification. For advanced analyses such as EtG and tests that exceed 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar weight of body hair can be taken. The term 'head hair' indicates only scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test consists of four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially handled and entered into the laboratory system. This step verifies proper sealing and delivery, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any missing data not included through electronic chain of custody procedures.
Screening is a preliminary and rapid check for substance abuse. It is cost-efficient for eliminating non-users among most samples; however, confirmation is necessary for any positive outcomes to ensure legal validity. Presumptive positives from Screening require additional verification.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the sample for Extraction. Here, the drug content is isolated at lower concentrations than seen with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid). This makes hair screening more challenging to execute.
Any positives from screening are confirmed using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positives are cleansed as necessary. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under CAP (College of American Pathologists) standards for hair testing, along with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand itself rather than the follicle below the scalp
In Berwick, ME, hair follicle testing demonstrates superiority over traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer enhanced accuracy and reliability, detecting substances long after usage. Unlike urine tests, which primarily reflect recent use, hair tests provide comprehensive insight into past drug habits.
Employers find hair testing invaluable, offering a broader detection window and a higher degree of test integrity. With hair tests, the risk of manipulation or false results is significantly reduced, ensuring objective, trustworthy outcomes.
The extended detection window is a key advantage of hair follicle testing in Berwick, ME. Capable of identifying drug use over up to 90 days, these tests provide employers a thorough overview of an individual's substance history, far surpassing the limited scope of urine tests.
This prolonged detection period assists employers in making informed decisions about applicants and employees. By revealing patterns of drug use, it ensures that the workplace remains secure and compliant with safety standards.
Hair follicle testing in Berwick, ME offers a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly reducing the chances of sample adulteration. These tests secure reliable and unquestionable results, ensuring integrity throughout the testing process.
This method reduces the risk of tampering, as hair samples are collected in a supervised environment. By deterring attempts to manipulate results, it provides confidence to both employers and individuals regarding the authenticity of the outcome.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing services in Berwick, ME, supported by a network of nationwide centers. Our local locations make accessing testing straightforward and hassle-free, catering to clients' needs with ease.
The availability of multiple centers ensures seamless appointment scheduling. This network aids in facilitating quick, easy, and reliable access to testing, regardless of where you are situated within the country.
The process of hair follicle testing in Berwick, ME is simple and confidential, emphasizing client privacy. From ordering to receiving results, the process ensures discretion, addressing concerns about confidentiality with a user-friendly approach.
Our streamlined method guarantees that individuals can rest assured their privacy is protected. The ease of the testing process, coupled with confidentiality measures, provides peace of mind to all involved.
In Berwick, ME, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, providing excellent value to companies of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures mean that businesses can access reliable testing without significant financial burden.
The combination of cost-effectiveness and speed ensures peace of mind, as organizations can quickly obtain clear, accurate test results without compromising on budget or time.
Hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results in Berwick, ME. With their ability to detect substance use with high precision, they deliver the certainty that stakeholders seek. These tests are efficient, offering quick turnarounds while maintaining accuracy in analyzing drug usage.
The precision of these hair tests ensures accurate identification of substances, fostering confidence in the results provided. Individuals and organizations receive results that reflect genuine substance use history.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Berwick, ME promotes compliance with workplace drug-free policies. It enables employers to adhere to regulations, minimizing legal risks and cultivating a safe work environment. By selecting this method, organizations demonstrate commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Hair testing offers peace of mind to employers, ensuring policy adherence and enhancing workplace safety. With its extensive detection capabilities, it supports the enforcement of zero-tolerance drug policies authentically and effectively.
