Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Employed particularly for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption, hair analysis stands out as a significant resource. Over time, hair entraps biomarkers within its fibers, offering an extended timeline of substance use by capturing alcohol and other drugs. When hair is trimmed very near to the scalp, it can reveal substance history over a period of roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, resists tampering with some difficulty, and can be transported with ease.
Gathering a 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately matching a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp results in about 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for examination and validation. For extensive screenings involving EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, about 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can serve as an alternative. Head hair strictly implies scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This phase verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any further data input omissions from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift evaluation for substance abuse. Screening serves as a cost-effective means to eliminate drug use suspicions for the majority of samples; nonetheless, any positive screen requires affirmation to be valid legally. Samples indicating presumptive positives during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
In scenarios where a sample shows presumptive positivity within the Screening phase, supplementary hair is drawn from the originally collected specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, the concentration of drugs extracted from hair is significantly lower than that from other sources (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis execution.
Positive findings from the screening process are validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing in preparation for confirmation, if needed. The complete laboratory process, starting from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted adhering to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests," the procedure focuses on analyzing the hair strand and does not involve the scalp-embedded hair follicle.
In Reading, MA, hair follicle testing is significantly superior to urine testing. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, thus making them a preferred choice. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair tests are nearly impossible to cheat, providing results that employers and professionals can rely on with confidence.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days in Reading, MA. This long detection window provides employers with a detailed overview of an individual’s substance use history, making it a more thorough option. It offers insights that other tests, with shorter detection periods, may miss.
Adopting hair follicle testing in Reading, MA significantly lessens the chance of sample tampering. Hair tests are difficult to adulterate, ensuring the integrity of the results. This makes them a reliable choice for individuals and organizations demanding unquestionable drug test outcomes.
With numerous nationwide testing sites and local centers in Reading, MA, accessing drug testing services is both convenient and efficient. Whether for professional or personal reasons, the process is designed to be quick and seamless, eliminating any hassle associated with test administration.
The process for obtaining and receiving hair follicle test results in Reading, MA is straightforward and discreet. The entire procedure is designed to maintain privacy while being user-friendly. From ordering to results, individuals can expect simplicity and confidentiality throughout.
In Reading, MA, competitive pricing makes hair follicle drug testing accessible for businesses of all sizes. Pair this with fast turnaround times, and companies receive exceptional value while ensuring prompt and reliable results, supporting their operational needs efficiently.
The turnaround of hair follicle drug tests in Reading, MA is impressively swift and precise. Hair testing excels in high accuracy detection of substance use. This superior method ensures reliable results quickly, making it a preferred choice for those seeking immediate and accurate drug-related answers.
Choosing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to company policies in Reading, MA. This method supports workplace drug-free initiatives, minimizes legal liabilities, and promotes workplace safety. Employers can thus maintain peace of mind, knowing they comply with necessary standards.
