Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a comprehensive history by encapsulating biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, it offers up to around a three-month detection span for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and straightforward to ship.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands, comparable to the width of a #2 pencil, from the scalp will yield 100mg, representing the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary testing, and/or screenings over 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug testing result encompasses Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the introductory step of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This step checks if the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary check for any drugs of abuse. Screening is an economical method to rule out drug use in most cases, yet a positive result must be verified to be used in a legal setting. Every sample suspected of being positive during Screening needs further confirmation.
If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower levels than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening especially challenging.
Verification of any positive screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation falls under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair qualification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often mistakenly called "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing for detecting drug use in Forge Village, MA. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests boast superior accuracy and long-term detection, which provide significant advantages for employers and judicial systems. This leads to a more reliable assessment of substance use over time, helping to enforce strict drug-free policies effectively.
The ability of hair follicle testing in Forge Village, MA to track drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days, gives employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use. This extended detection window stands in stark contrast to shorter-term urine testing, offering better insights for employer evaluations.
Hair follicle testing in Forge Village, MA is a robust method against tampering, ensuring the reliability of the results. With the nature of hair tests reducing possibilities for adulteration, outcomes remain unquestionable and trustworthy, providing peace of mind for all stakeholders involved in the testing process.
Our widespread network of testing centers, including local ones in Forge Village, MA, ensures accessibility to hassle-free testing services. With national coverage, we guarantee a convenient process, allowing for quick local access to necessary testing facilities anywhere, anytime.
In Forge Village, MA, the confidential hair follicle testing process is straightforward, from ordering to receiving results. Our dedication to privacy and simplicity ensures a user-friendly experience, greatly addressing individuals' concerns while maintaining the integrity of the testing procedure.
Offering competitive pricing and speedy results, our hair follicle testing services in Forge Village, MA, deliver excellent value. Our efficient turnaround times and cost-effective options suit businesses of all sizes, ensuring affordability while upholding exceptional service standards.
In Forge Village, MA, hair follicle drug tests offer impressive precision and prompt results. The high accuracy in detecting substances ensures that tests are both fast and reliable. With advanced methodologies, hair follicle tests provide definitive insights into an individual's drug use history, making them an indispensable tool.
Employers in Forge Village, MA benefit from hair follicle tests by maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. These tests not only uphold safety but also mitigate legal risks, securing a work environment that's ethically and operationally sound, thereby ensuring peace of mind for everyone involved.
