Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Highland Beach, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair shaft. When hair samples are taken near the scalp, they can offer an approximate three-month timeframe of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easily collected, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil's diameter) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary actions: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample's initial integration into the laboratory's system. This process includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and mailed, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data that isn’t supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, swift assessment for detecting drug abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screening result must be validated for courtroom admittance. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If the Screening process yields a presumptive positive result, additional hair is collected from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than in other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to why hair drug screening is a more challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleaned before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests have the capability to identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are exceedingly challenging to manipulate, which enhances result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: Capable of presenting a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier compared to other drug testing methodologies.
• Variations in results: Aspects such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may impact drug metabolite concentration within the hair.

Note: Although commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Highland Beach, MD

• Hair testing offers superior detection capacity and reliability compared to urine tests.
• Its strength lies in its ability to detect drug use over a more extended period, often up to 90 days.
• Such tests provide a robust framework for employers who need comprehensive drug history checks over traditional methods in Highland Beach.

Employers benefit from the longer detection window that hair tests provide.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Highland Beach, MD

• Hair follicle testing captures drug use history over a much longer timeframe, typically reaching up to 90 days.
• This capability grants employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use patterns.
• For businesses in Highland Beach, this extended window is crucial for making informed employment decisions.

Employers find hair testing invaluable for accurate assessments of applicant and employee drug use histories.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Highland Beach, MD

• Hair follicle tests provide a robust defense against sample tampering attempts.
• The testing process significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, ensuring results are credible and conclusive.
• For institutions in Highland Beach, these factors enhance trust in the testing process.

With tamper-resistant properties, hair testing is a reliable method for verifying substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Highland Beach, MD

• Our extensive network of testing centers offers convenient access to services.
• Locations spread across the nation, including locally in Highland Beach, make testing straightforward and stress-free.
• Whether near or far, individuals can count on easily accessible testing facilities.

Quick and hassle-free drug testing services are always within reach in Highland Beach and beyond.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Highland Beach, MD

• The testing procedure is designed to be simple, private, and user-friendly.
• Ordering and conducting tests, as well as receiving results, maintains confidentiality throughout.
• This system reassures participants about the privacy and ease of the testing experience.

Focus on confidentiality and simplicity makes hair testing a stress-free option in Highland Beach.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Highland Beach, MD

• Competitive pricing structures offer excellent value for hair follicle testing services.
• Quick result turnaround times enhance the appeal for companies of diverse sizes.
• In Highland Beach, these factors collectively provide budget-friendly and effective drug testing options.

Reliable results paired with affordability make hair tests beneficial for many organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Highland Beach, MD

• The precision and promptness of hair follicle drug tests have made them a preferred choice over traditional methods.
• High accuracy rates make them exceptionally effective in identifying substance use, contributing to reliable outcomes.
• With hair testing, results are both swift and dependable, ensuring timely decisions for employers and other entities in Highland Beach.

Employers trust hair follicle testing due to its efficiency in providing accurate substance use analyses.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Highland Beach, MD

• Implementing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• This approach mitigates legal exposure while boosting workplace safety.
• Highland Beach employers can rely on hair testing for a secure and compliant working environment.

Such tests promote organizational peace of mind by reinforcing drug policy compliance effectively.

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