Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of a growing hair strand can encapsulate biomarkers, offering an extended history of substance use. When collected from near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, with low chances of tampering, and it is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample containing approximately 200 hair strands (about as thick as a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for testing and validation. For EtG, additional panel tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it's suggested to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be used instead. When discussing head hair, we mean only the scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result, namely Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizes any additional data input that isn’t available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening carries out an initial, brief test for illegal drug presence. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient means of eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples indicating a positive result in Screening require further confirmation.
When a sample tests positive in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this process, drug substances are isolated from hair at a much reduced concentration than with other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair drug testing being the most complex methodology.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessitated. The entire lab procedure, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Newbury, MA stands out against urine tests for its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair analysis provides an extensive window for identifying drug use, ensuring instances of substance consumption are accurately documented.
Typical urine assessments fall short by only detecting recent drug use, whereas hair analysis can unveil substance use histories up to 90 days prior, making it an invaluable method for rigorous screening.
Employers in Newbury, MA favor hair follicle testing for gaining extensive insights into an individual's substance history. Unlike other methods, this testing tracks drug usage over an extended window of up to 90 days, offering a persuasive evaluation of an applicant or employee's long-term habits.
With hair follicle assessments, employers get a comprehensive picture, thus enabling more informed decisions during the hiring process or routine checks, reflecting a thorough review of substance use tendencies.
Hair follicle assessments in Newbury, MA significantly curtail sample tampering risks. While conventional testing might struggle with sample adulteration, hair analysis boasts a robust resistance to interference, ensuring credible outcomes.
This stringent testing methodology assures stakeholders of the authenticity of results, preventing any manipulation attempts. Such integrity in testing bolsters trust in the process and reassures stakeholders of the data's reliability.
Convenient nationwide locations, including those in Newbury, MA, ensure seamless access to our testing services. Accredited Drug Testing makes the testing process hassle-free, with centers spread across the country facilitating ease of use.
Whether local or across different states, clients accessing our hair follicle testing enjoy prompt and straightforward service, emphasizing swift appointment scheduling and minimal wait times, thus enhancing the user experience greatly.
Testing in Newbury, MA is noted for its simplicity and confidentiality, featuring a user-friendly approach for test procedures and results. Clients can seamlessly arrange for testing and receive their results securely, ensuring privacy concerns are balanced effectively.
Our structured approach provides a straightforward, non-invasive manner of hair sample collection, catering to needs while maintaining confidentiality. This simplicity caters to varied users looking for hassle-free and private drug testing solutions.
Affordable pricing paired with swift processing times makes our hair follicle testing in Newbury, MA an excellent choice for companies. Our competitive rates ensure economic feasibility without sacrificing quality of the services offered.
From small businesses to large corporations, our reasonable pricing and fast turnaround guarantee timely feedback, thus supporting operational needs and ensuring companies derive significant value from these timely and cost-effective evaluations.
In Newbury, MA, hair follicle drug testing provides fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method ensures a high degree of accuracy and speed in quantifying substance use, offering unparalleled precision unmatched by conventional testing techniques.
The efficiency of hair follicle assessments is due to their comprehensive detection capabilities, capturing substance traces over extended periods and delivering results swiftly. This results in a superior testing method that bolsters reliability in test outcomes.
Employing hair follicle testing in Newbury, MA guarantees conformity with drug-free workplace mandates. This testing method offers employers crucial security, minimizing legal liabilities and augmenting the safety and productivity of the worksite.
Organizations benefit from the peace of mind that comes with knowing their employment policies are diligently enforceable, with hair assessments underscoring their commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace environment effectively.
