Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the developing strand. When collected near the scalp, it offers a detection timeframe of up to nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's diameter) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, providing an optimum sample for testing and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (beard, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in lab processing of a drug test result entail Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning denotes the initial entry of a sample into a lab's system. It includes validating that the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any additional information not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening represents an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be legally viable. Any samples proposed positive during Screening require further confirmation.
When a sample is possibly positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of a positive screen is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and certified to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kittery Point, ME
Extended Detection Window in Kittery Point, ME
In Kittery Point, ME, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant method for drug testing. This approach minimizes sample adulteration risks, providing reliable results.
Unlike urine tests, which can be easily manipulated, hair tests are trustworthy and nearly impossible to cheat, reinforcing their validity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kittery Point, ME
Simple, Confidential Process in Kittery Point, ME
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kittery Point, ME
In Kittery Point, ME, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and speed. These tests offer high accuracy in detecting recent or past substance use, enhancing the reliability of results.
Fast results mean quicker decision-making, and the high accuracy ensures that employers and individuals receive trustworthy information.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kittery Point, ME
