Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month monitoring window for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, moderately hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. When addressing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The four primary steps involved in the lab handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This includes confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not sourced from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly approach to eliminate drug usage on the bulk of samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a markedly lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand itself and not the follicle underneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Monmouth, ME, the advantages are clear. Hair tests boast superior detection capabilities, often identifying drug use missed by urine tests. This increased accuracy provides a more comprehensive understanding of substance use over an extended period.
The reliability of hair tests is particularly significant for employers who uphold strict drug-free policies. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis offers a broader detection window, making efforts to evade detection less effective and ensuring confidence in the results.
Hair follicle testing stands out in Monmouth, ME, with its extended detection period of up to 90 days. This affords employers and legal entities a robust tool to review an individual's substance use history, far beyond the immediate past covered by urine tests.
The significant detection window of hair tests provides a long-term perspective on drug use. This is invaluable for organizations in Monmouth, ME, aiming to maintain a safe and compliant work environment by making informed hiring and retention decisions.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Monmouth, ME, is its resistance to tampering. As the sample collection is less invasive and difficult to fake, the results are deemed highly reliable and nearly irrefutable.
Unlike urine tests, which can be compromised, hair testing offers an additional layer of security. This method's inherit tamper resistance ensures results are not only accurate but also free from dishonest manipulation.
Accredited Drug Testing has made hair follicle testing access seamless with convenient locations in Monmouth, ME, and nationwide. Our extensive network ensures that short travel distances make testing trouble-free for everyone.
The availability of numerous testing sites simplifies the process for parties involved. This convenience ultimately ensures swift and efficient access to our hair testing services across the country.
In Monmouth, ME, conducting hair follicle tests is straightforward and private, providing a stress-free process. From the initial order to the final result, all procedures maintain strict confidentiality, ensuring personal information remains protected.
The simplicity of Accredited Drug Testing's hair follicle services focuses on ease of use, catering to both individual and corporate clients. Our clear and simple protocol respects individual privacy at every step.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Monmouth, ME, combining affordability with efficiency. Our rapid turnaround times provide value without compromising quality, serving businesses of all sizes.
The cost-effective nature of our services does not outweigh the quick processing time of test results. This compelling combination supports businesses in maintaining their budget while ensuring swift and accurate drug screenings.
In Monmouth, ME, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and reliability. They provide precise results swiftly, indicating any substance use with high accuracy. The method's capability to consistently detect various substances makes it a preferred choice for those who value dependability and precision in drug testing.
Employing advanced techniques, hair tests deliver accurate results promptly. This makes them invaluable for urgent testing scenarios, ensuring that Monmouth's employers receive fast, trustworthy insights into an individual's drug use history.
Employers in Monmouth, ME, seeking compliance with drug-free workplace policies find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method helps reduce legal risks associated with regulatory non-compliance and enhances overall workplace safety.
By adopting hair testing, organizations demonstrate their commitment to a drug-free environment. This can lead to improved morale, increased productivity, and less frequent workplace incidents due to substance use.
