Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now widely recognized as a potent method for unveiling drug and alcohol consumption. The growth fibers of hair strands capture biomarkers, offering a prolonged history of substance intake. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can indicate alcohol and drug use for nearly three months. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to dispatch.
For accurate screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil) should be taken closest to the scalp to attain 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount. For EtG markers, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a similar volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other varieties, such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary stages in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially logged into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary method for identifying common drugs of abuse. Although cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal validity. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For samples with presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at considerably lower levels than other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair screening one of the most challenging methods.
Confirmation for any positive screen is carried out with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positive samples are thoroughly cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is meticulously reviewed following both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the assessment actually targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing in Kittery, ME, providing superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests reveal a more comprehensive drug use history compared to the limited scope of urine tests. Employers benefit from identifying long-term substance use, giving a clearer picture of an individual's habits, thus supporting informed decision-making processes.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, up to 90 days, offers employers in Kittery, ME a thorough examination of an applicant or employee's substance history. This prolonged timeframe surpasses the shorter detection periods of other tests, providing a detailed view into the individual's past drug use and ensuring informed hiring choices.
Hair follicle tests in Kittery, ME present a tamper-resistant solution that minimizes sample adulteration risks, ensuring reliable and indisputable outcomes. The observed collection process and resilient nature of hair samples make them difficult to falsify, offering unmatched integrity and trustworthiness.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including local ones in Kittery, ME, our services offer quick, easy, and hassle-free access for all your testing needs. Whether in a bustling city or quaint town, our wide network ensures testing services are always nearby, catering to your requirements with ease and flexibility.
The process in Kittery, ME is straightforward and confidential, ensuring that ordering, taking, and receiving results is discreet and user-friendly. Your privacy is a priority, and our streamlined approach addresses these concerns while maintaining ease of use, perfect for individuals and organizations alike seeking hassle-free testing experiences.
In Kittery, ME, we provide competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, offering great value to businesses of any size. Our efficient service ensures that costs are kept low without sacrificing quality, while prompt results allow companies to make timely and informed decisions with cost-effective solutions.
In Kittery, ME, the hair follicle drug test stands out for its speed and precision, ensuring results that are both fast and accurate. This reliable method quickly detects substance use, offering peace of mind with its impressive accuracy. Rapid processing ensures that results are delivered in a timely manner, critical for employers who require immediate insights into substance use.
In Kittery, ME, hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with workplace drug-free policies, significantly reducing legal liabilities and enhancing safety in the workplace. By choosing this reliable testing method, companies gain peace of mind, knowing that their policies are upheld and their environment remains secure.
