Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests are increasingly recognized as a significant means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers in its growing fibers. When sourced near the scalp, it affords up to a three-month detection range for both alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, resisting tampering, and is convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides about 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests that exceed 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is an acceptable alternative. "Head hair" signifies only scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing drug test outcomes involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial input of the sample into a lab system. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipment were intact, assigns it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data input beyond an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary test for drug abuse. While it offers a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for legal validity. Samples testing positive in Screening must undergo additional verification.
Upon a positive result in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for further processing in Extraction. This step removes drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging method.
Confirmation for any positive result in screening uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples undergo washing before final confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair recognition and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is misleading as the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle underneath the scalp.
In the Oxford, ME area, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are evident. Superior detection accuracy is a hallmark of hair testing.
Employers find hair follicle testing to be a more reliable solution.
Hair follicle testing in Oxford, ME permits detection over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This provides a detailed understanding of an individual's past substance use.
Hair tests reveal a more extensive drug use history, essential for informed decisions.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Oxford, ME ensures the integrity and reliability of the results.
Choose hair testing for indisputable, trustworthy outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including in Oxford, ME.
Depend on our extensive reach for simplicity and ease.
In Oxford, ME, the hair testing process is both simple and confidential.
Our process ensures peace of mind while being straightforward.
In Oxford, ME, testing is available at affordable rates with rapid turnaround times.
High-quality doesn't come with a high cost.
In Oxford, ME, hair follicle drug tests provide rapid, highly precise results for substance detection. Speed and accuracy align to offer reliable insights into substance use.
Choose hair testing for dependable results.
For employers in Oxford, ME, hair follicle testing provides peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
Employers gain confidence from consistent, reliable results.
