Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair strands capture biomarkers within the hairs as they grow, providing a long-term overview of substance use. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection span of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is easy, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, extras, or more than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the hair. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Alternatively, body hair encompasses any other hair type (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing process in a lab comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails integrating a sample into a lab’s system, ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entries absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial straightforward examination for substance use. Though Screening efficiently rules out drug use for most samples, a positive result demands confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive results during Screening require further validation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in lesser concentrations relative to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most intricate methods available.
Confirmation of any positive results from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though it's sometimes called a "hair follicle test", the test analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Brewster, MA
When comparing hair testing to conventional urine tests, the benefits become clear. Hair testing significantly enhances detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair samples provide a comprehensive overview of past drug use, minimizing the chances of false negatives and ensuring a reliable assessment of substance intake.
Extended Detection Window in Brewster, MA
Hair follicle testing shines with its long detection period—up to 90 days. Employers in Brewster gain a thorough insight into a candidate or employee's substance use history. This method surpasses others by offering a panoramic view of past drug use, proving vital for maintaining a safe and productive workplace.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Brewster, MA
Reducing sample tampering is a major advantage of hair follicle testing. In Brewster, this method is virtually impervious to adulteration, ensuring the integrity of the results. The collection process leaves little room for manipulation, providing employers with testing results they can truly trust.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Brewster, MA
Our testing services extend conveniently across the country. In Brewster, MA, finding a testing center is simple and hassle-free, ensuring easy access. The nationwide network guarantees you receive the support and services you need without unnecessary delay or inconvenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Brewster, MA
The process to order, undertake, and receive hair test results is straightforward and confidential. In Brewster, privacy is assured at every step. Whether scheduling a test or receiving results, the procedure respects your privacy while remaining efficient and user-friendly.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Brewster, MA
Competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times define our services in Brewster. We ensure businesses of all sizes receive excellent value, with methods designed to deliver swift results. Our pricing structures facilitate access to fast and reliable testing, making us a cost-effective choice.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Brewster, MA
Hair follicle testing is swiftly becoming the benchmark for drug detection. In Brewster, MA, these tests are renowned for their speedy and precise results. The method is highly efficient, ensuring each test accurately reflects substance use. With results that you can rely on, it sets a new standard in drug testing accuracy.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Brewster, MA
Using hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, giving employers peace of mind. In Brewster, this testing helps minimize legal risks and bolster safety protocols. It safeguards businesses by ensuring adherence to regulations, thus significantly enhancing workplace security.
