Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly viewed as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and illicit substances by incorporating biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, generally resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hairs (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screenings and verifications. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond ten panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale is suggested. When scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. References to head hair indicate scalp hair solely, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory steps for processing a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial introduction of a specimen into the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and transmitted correctly, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any supplementary data input missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening offers an economical method to exclude drug usage in most specimens, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening must undergo secondary verification.
When a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original collection and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to implement.
Any positive screening outcomes are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive specimens are cleaned before confirming, as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Perks of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Hodgdon, ME, the superiority of hair follicle testing over urine testing is evident. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy, capturing a wider range of substances over a greater period. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to short-term detection, hair tests provide a thorough and detailed profile of an individual's history, reaffirming its reliability and precision.
With its capability to identify drug use extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Hodgdon, ME, provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's past substance habits. This extended detection window far surpasses that of traditional tests, making it an invaluable tool in assessing long-term drug use patterns and ensuring informed decision-making.
In Hodgdon, ME, the hair follicle test stands as a formidable barrier against sample tampering. Its robust collection method ensures that results are trustworthy and clear. By significantly reducing the risk of manipulation, employers and institutions receive assured results that accurately reflect an individual's substance usage without doubts of interference.
With our extensive network of testing centers, accessibility to hair follicle drug testing in Hodgdon, ME, is seamless. These nationwide and local facilities offer practical solutions, ensuring that testing services are readily available without hassle, providing users both convenience and efficiency when they need it most.
In Hodgdon, ME, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and secure. Ordering a test, undergoing the procedure, and retrieving results is designed to prioritize privacy and ease. Customers can confidently navigate these steps, assured that their personal information and concerns are handled with utmost respect.
Hodgdon, ME, benefits from our competitively priced hair follicle testing services, coupled with fast processing times. Our commitment to value and quick response ensures that businesses of any scale find our offerings financially viable while receiving the dependable service they require. This combination offers assurance and efficiency.
Achieving rapid and precise outcomes in Hodgdon, ME, hair follicle drug tests are second to none. They deliver exceptional accuracy in identifying substance usage, ensuring individuals and organizations receive dependable results they can trust. Moreover, the testing process is conducted swiftly, providing superb speed without compromising quality or rigor.
Hair follicle testing in Hodgdon, ME, aligns with maintaining drug-free environments in workplaces. By adhering to comprehensive policies using these tests, employers can effectively manage compliance and mitigate potential legal concerns. This effective strategy enhances workplace safety and ensures peace of mind for all involved parties.
