Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as an extended record of alcohol and other drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected from near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, serving as the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of incorporating a sample into a lab's system, ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any other information not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use for most samples, a positive result needs confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a confirmatory test.
When a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.
Any positive Screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.
Hair testing surpasses urine tests in Holden, MA, due to its increased accuracy. Unlike standard urine tests, hair follicle analysis reveals a longer substance detection period.
In contrast to traditional urine analysis, hair tests in Holden, MA, provide superior reliability and detection accuracy, making them invaluable for precise substance use evaluation.
In Holden, MA, hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection window, recognizing drug use over a lengthy period, up to 90 days. This method assists employers in thoroughly evaluating substance history.
The elongated detection period of hair testing in Holden, MA, enables a deeper insight into an individual's drug history, a significant advantage over shorter detection methods.
Holden, MA, benefits from tamper-resistant hair follicle tests, drastically reducing sample adulteration possibilities. This ensures test integrity and unquestionable outcomes.
By employing hair follicle analysis in Holden, MA, the risks of sample tampering are minimized, guaranteeing dependable and accurate results.
Convenient access to nationwide testing is available for Holden, MA. Our extensive network ensures quick, hassle-free drug testing services locally.
Holden, MA, residents benefit from our testing facilities, offering ease with nationwide centers catering to drug test needs efficiently.
The process in Holden, MA, for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, from order to result, prioritizing user privacy and simplicity.
Individuals in Holden, MA, can trust our drug testing process for being discreet yet effective, ensuring user-friendly engagement from start to finish.
In Holden, MA, competitive pricing and speedy result turnaround characterize our hair follicle testing, bringing value and satisfaction to businesses.
Our attractive pricing structure and quick service in Holden, MA, make hair follicle testing accessible, catering to diverse company needs.
The precision and speed of hair follicle tests in Holden, MA, stand out as superior. These evaluations are highly efficient in identifying substance use, ensuring swift and accurate results.
With hair follicle testing, residents of Holden, MA, can expect quick results without sacrificing reliability. The methodology is a hallmark of technological advancements in drug testing accuracy.
Employers in Holden, MA, can find peace of mind ensuring workplace safety through hair follicle testing. This method secures adherence to drug-free policies, decreasing legal issues.
Using hair testing, Holden, MA, businesses uphold compliance standards, fostering a safe and law-abiding work environment.
