Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Winchester, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By encasing biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand, hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug presence. Collected close to the scalp, hair provides an approximate three-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), located nearest to the scalp provides roughly 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent mass of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory processing comprises four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing within a laboratory's system. This phase includes verifying seal integrity and correct shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for potential drug abuse. While Screening offers a low-cost means to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples flagging as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted at noticeably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine, oral fluid), characterizing hair drug screening as a highly challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is rigorously evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, as well as ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use over a 90-day span, contrasting with shorter detection periods of urine tests.
• Difficult to undermine: Hair drug testing complicates attempts to cheat, ensuring more precise results.
• Historical data provision: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Hair needs approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable.
• Price: Hair drug testing is typically more costly than alternative drug testing options.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences may impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests," the test in fact examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Winchester, MA

• Superior detection accuracy - unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests detect drugs over longer periods.
• Reliable - hair tests offer consistent results less prone to false negatives or positives, ensuring thorough investigations.

By utilizing hair testing, employers benefit significantly from its reliability, surpassing the fluctuating results often seen with urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Winchester, MA

• Unmatched temporal reach - hair testing covers up to 90 days of substance history.
• Comprehensive insight allows employers to evaluate substance use over extended periods, ensuring informed hiring and monitoring.

This broad scope empowers employers with a significant advantage in maintaining a substance-free workplace by visualizing a longer-term usage pattern.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Winchester, MA

• Hair testing significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering.
• It provides nearly untainted results difficult for individuals to adulterate, offering a truly reliable testing method.

Organizations seek assurance with hair follicle tests due to their inherent protective measures against sample manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Winchester, MA

• Testing centers available nationwide for ease and convenience.
• Local facilities in Winchester ensure quick and hassle-free testing, accommodating employers and individuals alike.

Our broad network assures seamless access to drug testing services wherever needed, facilitating efficient and easy testing arrangements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Winchester, MA

• Order, testing, and result acquisition are straightforward and discreet.
• Privacy is prioritized to ease concerns over confidentiality during the drug testing process.

The process facilitates a seamless experience, ensuring user comfort while maintaining a high standard of confidentiality and simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Winchester, MA

• Competitive priced services for all companies' scales.
• Rapid turnaround times ensure prompt receipt of test results, reinforcing the value provided.

This combination ensures businesses benefit from efficient and cost-effective drug testing solutions, enhancing operational peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Winchester, MA are unmatched when it comes to detecting substance use. Quickly delivering precise results, hair tests identify a wide range of substances with exceptional reliability, making them an excellent choice for fast and accurate drug screenings.

Employers and individuals seeking timely insights benefit significantly, as the test's high sensitivity and precision provide credible results that help maintain a drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Winchester, MA

• Supports drug-free workplace initiatives, reducing legal risks.
• Hair tests help ensure policies are followed, boosting safety and peace of mind.

By investing in such testing, employers demonstrate their commitment to a safe and compliant work setting, fostering trust and responsibility.

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