Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair locks in biomarkers within its strands as it grows, offering a chronological record of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair yields a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to dispatch.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, suitable for both screening and validation tests. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair may be utilized. 'Head hair' specifies scalp hair exclusively, while 'body hair' encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab methodology for deriving a drug test outcome from a hair sample involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails integrating the sample into a lab’s database. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and mailed, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completes any missing data entry that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid scan for substances. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug use in most cases, judicial admissibility requires a positive screen to undergo confirmation. Presumptively positive Screening samples necessitate further validation.
For samples returning a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is gathered from the initial batch for Extraction. Here, drugs are derived from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting hair analysis as the most challenging to execute.
Confirmation of presumptive positive results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation, if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 protocols.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly mislabeled as “hair follicle tests,†these actually assess the strand of hair, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing in Norcross, ME, due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional tests, hair analysis offers a broader insight into an individual's drug use history, making it an invaluable tool for employers and professionals alike.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Norcross, ME, provides a detailed overview of an individual's substance history. This comprehensive look helps employers make informed decisions based on an applicant or employee's long-term drug use patterns.
The risk of tampering is significantly reduced with hair follicle testing in Norcross, ME. Its stringent collection and analysis methods ensure that results remain reliable and unquestionable, offering peace of mind to all parties involved.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including local facilities in Norcross, ME, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. This widespread reach ensures that testing is accessible whenever and wherever needed.
The process of hair follicle testing in Norcross, ME, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy throughout ordering, taking, and receiving results. This simplicity addresses user concerns and offers ease of use for all participants.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Norcross, ME, provide excellent value for companies of all sizes. This affordable option ensures that businesses can maintain safety without compromising their budget.
In Norcross, ME, hair follicle testing stands out for delivering results that are both fast and reliable. Its high accuracy in detecting substance use far surpasses other testing methods, making it the preferred choice for precise results.
Employers in Norcross, ME can achieve peace of mind and ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and contributes to a safe and productive working environment.
