Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a lengthy history of alcohol and other drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can present up to a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimum amount for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest scaling the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This entails confirming the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid test for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.
If a sample is tentatively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle underneath the skin.
Comparing hair follicle and urine tests in New Limerick, ME highlights the superiority of hair testing. While urine tests may catch recent drug use, hair follicle testing captures a broader timeframe of substance use. Employers and law enforcement agencies benefit from its heightened reliability, as hair testing is less prone to manipulation and offers a clearer picture of an individual's habits.
In New Limerick, ME, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window. Unlike other tests, hair analysis can identify drugs used up to 90 days prior, providing a thorough overview of an individual’s substance history. This extensive detection period aids employers in understanding the long-term behavior of their staff or prospective hires, ensuring informed decisions are made.
Hair follicle testing in New Limerick, ME is a tamper-resistant method. Unlike urine tests, which can be adulterated, hair tests are difficult to alter or deceive. This ensures the results are trustworthy and valid, providing stakeholders with confidence in the outcomes, and supporting fair assessments.
With convenient nationwide testing centers and local facilities in New Limerick, ME, accessing drug testing services is straightforward. Clients benefit from easy and hassle-free access, ensuring that testing can be conducted quickly and efficiently. This widespread availability guarantees that individuals can complete required tests without geographical constraints.
The process of hair follicle testing in New Limerick, ME is simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, every step is designed to prioritize privacy and ease of use. Clients are assured a seamless experience, with their information handled discreetly, ensuring their comfort and security.
In New Limerick, ME, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Businesses can take advantage of our competitive pricing structures, receiving excellent value without compromising on speed. Quick result delivery ensures that employers and individuals receive necessary information promptly and efficiently.
In New Limerick, ME, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its speed and precision. This method ensures that results are delivered accurately, allowing for rapid identification of substance use. With its unparalleled accuracy in detecting drugs, hair testing offers reliable insights into a person's drug history, providing an edge over traditional testing methods.
For employers in New Limerick, ME, adopting hair follicle testing offers compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring alignment with workplace drug policies, this testing method reduces legal risks and fosters a safer work environment. Employers can rely on the robustness of hair testing to uphold safety standards and maintain operational integrity.
