Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged view of alcohol and drug use history by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair can show a drug and alcohol detection period of approximately three months. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair can't be gathered, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage where a sample is processed into a lab's system. This step confirms proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug use. While it is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a specimen shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration far lower than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Positive results from screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that test presumptively positive are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used, but the analysis involves the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing Hair Testing Over Urine Testing in Millers Falls, MA
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, the enhanced accuracy and reliability of hair testing become apparent. Hair tests offer a deeper insight into substance use, making them a preferred choice for those prioritizing accurate detection in Millers Falls, MA.
Extended Detection Window in Millers Falls, MA
Hair follicle testing in Millers Falls, MA shines with its extended detection capability, covering up to 90 days of substance use history. This long window enables employers to thoroughly assess an individual’s drug-related activities over a significant period, benefiting hiring and monitoring processes.
Tamper-Resistant Hair Testing in Millers Falls, MA
Secure your testing outcomes with hair follicle procedures that markedly decrease adulteration chances. This method guarantees reliability, providing results that can withstand scrutiny and maintain their integrity throughout the process in Millers Falls, MA.
Accessible Testing Locations in Millers Falls, MA
With an extensive network of testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility and convenience. Residents and businesses in Millers Falls, MA can avail efficient, convenient hair testing services in a hassle-free manner, fostering ease and reliability.
A Streamlined Confidential Process in Millers Falls, MA
The process of ordering, undergoing, and receiving hair test results is designed to be simple and confidential. Addressing privacy concerns, our approach in Millers Falls, MA ensures peace of mind while managing the testing process seamlessly and discreetly.
Competitive Pricing and Swift Turnarounds in Millers Falls, MA
Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing structures, countered with swift result availability, delivering exceptional value to businesses regardless of size in Millers Falls, MA. This ensures both cost-effectiveness and timely access to important information.
Fast and Accurate Hair Testing in Millers Falls, MA
Experience speed and precision with our hair follicle drug testing methods available at Accredited Drug Testing. Our tests provide robust accuracy levels that reliably unveil substance use patterns, offering critical data to inform both personal and professional decisions swiftly.
Assurance Through Compliance for Employers in Millers Falls, MA
Employing hair follicle testing allows organizations in Millers Falls, MA to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace standards seamlessly. This comprehensive approach not only ensures adherence to policies but also fortifies workplace safety and minimizes associated legal risks.
