Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Piscataway, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are now recognized as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the threads of the growing hair shaft. When clipped near the scalp, hair can provide nearly a three-month coverage for alcohol and drug detection. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A lock measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels above 10, 150mg of the sample is advocated. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. Referencing head hair specifies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The chief steps in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary processing of a sample into the lab system, which consists of verifying the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents a preliminary fast assessment for drug abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, positive screen results need confirmation to hold up in a court of law. Samples with a presumption of positivity in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample exhibit presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and arranged for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most complex method to execute.

Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample is cleansed before Confirmation when necessary. The holistic laboratory procedures from Accessioning to Confirmation comply with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can identify drug consumption for a maximum of 90 days, in contrast to urine assessments which feature a reduced detection window.
• Complexity to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test proves challenging, resulting in more precise findings.
• Offers historical insights: It can display a trend of drug use over time, rather than just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: There is an approximate period of 5-7 days before drugs are discernible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual variability in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Piscataway, MD: The advantages of hair testing against traditional urine tests are substantial.

• Enhanced detection accuracy ensures more reliable results.
• Longer detection window offers comprehensive insight into substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Piscataway, MD: Hair follicle testing surpasses other methods with a detection period of up to 90 days.

• This provides a full view of an individual’s substance use history.
• Employers gain more confidence in their hiring and monitoring processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Piscataway, MD: Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the chance of sample adulteration.

• Provides reliable and unquestionable results that are nearly impossible to cheat.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Piscataway, MD: Our comprehensive network of testing centers ensures convenient access.

• Easy and hassle-free testing process nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Piscataway, MD: Our process is designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind.

• Streamlining ordering, testing, and result collection ensures privacy.
• Addresses privacy concerns efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Piscataway, MD: Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times are our hallmarks.

• Offers great value for companies of all sizes.
• Fast turnaround minimizes downtime.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Piscataway, MD: Hair follicle drug tests provide unparalleled precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in detecting substance use.

• Quick results eliminate waiting periods, enhancing decision-making.
• High accuracy levels minimize errors, offering peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Piscataway, MD: Hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies.

• Decreases legal risks associated with non-compliance.
• Enhances workplace safety and reliability for both employers and employees.

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