Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within its growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory system. This includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody process.
Screening is a preliminary quick test for substances of abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, but a positive screening requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are drawn from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Sudbury, MA, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests, showcasing superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis captures a broader history of substance use, offering a clearer snapshot of drug activity over an extended period.
This makes hair testing particularly valuable for organizations committed to maintaining rigorous drug-free policies among employees and affiliates.
One of the notable features of hair follicle testing in Sudbury, MA is its extended detection window, which spans up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history.
Such a wide detection window ensures employers make well-informed hiring decisions, contributing positively to workplace safety and productivity.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Sudbury, MA provides a layer of security that is hard to match. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, making them a reliable choice for authentic results.
Employers can benefit from the reliability of hair testing, ensuring that results are accurate and free from manipulation attempts.
The convenience of national and local testing locations, including those in Sudbury, MA, makes accessing hair follicle tests a hassle-free experience. With an abundance of testing centers nationwide, individuals and businesses can enjoy swift and straightforward services.
This widespread availability ensures that clients have easy access to testing services whenever needed.
In Sudbury, MA, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving results, each step is streamlined to ensure minimal hassle and maximal privacy.
Addressing concerns of privacy and ease of use, the process is set to offer peace of mind to all participants, enhancing overall satisfaction.
For businesses in Sudbury, MA, affordable pricing and fast turnaround times position hair follicle testing as an economically viable option. With competitive pricing structures, companies of all sizes can rest assured of receiving excellent value for their investment.
Quick turnaround times further enhance this value, offering rapid results that aid in efficient decision-making processes.
In Sudbury, MA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results, making them a preferred choice for substance detection. The precision of hair testing is unmatched, ensuring accurate substance identification and thereby supporting informed decision-making in various settings.
The speed of results is another significant advantage, allowing stakeholders to make timely and informed decisions without unnecessary delays.
In Sudbury, MA, utilizing hair follicle testing can greatly aid in compliance with workplace drug-free policies, offering peace of mind for employers. By adhering to rigorous testing methods, businesses can reduce legal risks and enhance safety.
Ensuring a secure work environment fosters a culture of trust and productivity, crucial for thriving organizational dynamics.
