Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the growing hair fibers, hair offers a comprehensive history of drug and alcohol use. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over a period of up to 3 months. It is easy to collect, less prone to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp equates to 100mg of hair — the optimal amount for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. It’s best to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair; "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test results encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug abuse. While it is a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug usage in most cases, a positive screen requires further validation to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need a secondary confirmation.
In the event of a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is obtained from the original specimen for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations than those found through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests offer a significant edge over urine tests in Sturbridge, MA. They provide enhanced detection accuracy for substance use, lasting up to 90 days, and deliver more reliable results.
Employers value the superior efficacy of hair tests in identifying long-term substance use trends, which are not as discernible with traditional urine testing.
The durability of hair samples ensures consistent and verifiable results, elevating them above urine tests.
In Sturbridge, MA, the extended detection period of hair follicle testing reveals drug use over as long as ninety days. This broad window grants employers a more thorough perspective on one's substance usage history.
Hair follicle testing in Sturbridge, MA, offers a tamper-resistant method for drug testing, effectively decreasing the chance of sample manipulation. This robust testing approach ensures the production of reliable and trustworthy results.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including in Sturbridge, MA. Access to numerous centers ensures the testing services are quick and straightforward for all, minimizing disruptions and providing ample accessibility.
This broad network expedites the testing process, meeting various testing needs with ease and efficiency.
In Sturbridge, MA, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, providing ease from ordering to result delivery. Our approach prioritizes user privacy, ensuring all procedures are discreet and secure.
In Sturbridge, MA, competitive pricing and rapid turnaround are hallmarks of our hair follicle drug tests. These affordable solutions provide excellent value, supporting companies of varying sizes with their testing requirements.
In Sturbridge, MA, hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering quick, precise, and reliable outcomes. Their heightened accuracy in identifying substance use makes them an ideal choice for employers seeking trustworthy results.
The efficiency of hair tests ensures that employers receive timely insights into an individual's substance history, supporting informed decision-making processes.
With advanced detection capabilities, hair tests provide a robust solution in assessing drug use, distinguishing them from other testing methods.
Employers in Sturbridge, MA, leveraging hair follicle testing can achieve compliance with workplace drug-free policies, thus decreasing legal ramifications and boosting workplace safety.
The reliability of hair testing instills confidence in both employers and employees, fostering an atmosphere of trust within organizations.
