Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged record of substances by incorporating markers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When sourced near the scalp, hair delivers about a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's diameter) nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, the optimum quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, supplementary, or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair may be acquired. When addressing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all alternate hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases in laboratory processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial intake of a specimen into a laboratory's system. This involves ensuring the specimen was correctly sealed and dispatched, applying a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most specimens, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample indicate positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the primary sample and adequately prepared for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), posing why hair drug screening is one of the hardest methodologies to perform.
Confirmation for any consistent positive screen is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 protocols.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on analyzing the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Discover why hair follicle testing triumphs over urine testing in Owls Head, ME. Hair analysis provides an extended detection window and higher accuracy than traditional tests, revealing substance use even when other methods fail.
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle drug tests in Owls Head, ME, offer a more reliable detection method. They are less prone to result manipulation, ensuring a true reflection of an individual's substance use history.
Hair follicle testing in Owls Head, ME, stands out with its extended detection window, identifying substance use up to 90 days earlier. This feature provides a more comprehensive view of an applicant’s or employee’s drug history.
This method utilizes the natural growth of hair, making it ideal for long-term drug use analysis, helping employers make informed decisions based on thorough screening.
Our hair follicle testing method in Owls Head, ME, significantly reduces tampering risks. It's a process designed to ensure integrity and reliability in sample results, leaving no room for sample adulteration.
Hair samples collected under strict protocols make tampering almost impossible, guaranteeing that results are both trustworthy and unquestionable, thus maintaining the legitimacy of drug testing.
Our testing centers in Owls Head, ME, and nationwide offer convenient access to drug testing services. The widespread availability ensures a quick and hassle-free experience for clients.
Ease of access across numerous locations supports efficient service without delay, meeting the needs of both individuals and organizations for reliable testing around the clock.
The process for hair follicle testing in Owls Head, ME, is simple and confidential, catering to privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. From booking to results, every step is streamlined for user comfort.
Discreet handling of samples and results protects personal data, providing peace of mind and assurance of confidentiality in drug testing experiences.
In Owls Head, ME, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing alongside a fast turnaround. This blend of affordability and efficiency appeals to companies across different scales.
Rapid processing of results enables businesses to operate smoothly, maintaining their momentum without bearing excessive costs, thereby ensuring value for money.
In Owls Head, ME, hair follicle drug tests offer fast and reliable results, combining precision with efficiency. These tests are preferred by those who prioritize timely and accurate substance detection, minimizing delays and ensuring reliable information for critical decision-making processes.
The high accuracy of hair follicle drug tests lies in directly analyzing the hair sample, reducing false results. Advanced technology employed in these tests ensures superior precision, offering certainty when distinguishing between substance usage and abstinence.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Owls Head, ME, can provide safety and compliance for employers. By ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, these tests mitigate legal risks and bolster organizational safety.
Employers gain peace of mind because hair tests align with standard compliance regulations, essential for a secure and responsible workplace environment.