Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Advance, MI

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended timeline of substance usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the strand's fibers. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer detection for up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to send.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of approximately 200 strands (the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes any other types, like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily includes four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of incorporating a sample into the lab's workflow. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any lacking data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient way to rule out drug consumption in most samples, but a positive result in Screening requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening need an additional confirmation step.

If a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration than seen in other methods like urine or oral fluid. This characteristic makes hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo a washing process before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized by both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect substance use up to 90 days, more extended than the shorter window of urine tests.
• Hard to defraud: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, rendering the results more reliable.
• Provides usage history: It can depict a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug tests typically cost more compared to other testing methods.
• Result variance: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand itself and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Advance, MI, lies in its unrivaled ability to detect drugs over an extended period. While urine tests might capture recent drug use, they fail to recognize patterns beyond a short timeframe. Hair tests, however, establish a more comprehensive substance use history.

Employers favor hair testing due to its proven accuracy and difficulty in manipulation, setting it apart from traditional urine testing options, which are more susceptible to falsification.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in hair follicle testing is pivotal for employers in Advance, MI, providing a thorough overview of an individual's substance use for up to 90 days. This lengthy detection window surpasses that of urine tests, making it ideal for long-term drug use assessment.

Such a comprehensive look helps organizations identify recurring use, rather than isolating singular events. This extensive insight aids in crafting informed decisions based on clear substance use histories.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method offered by hair follicle tests in Advance, MI, significantly reduces sample adulteration risks. Due to the nature of hair samples, the opportunity for tampering is greatly limited, enhancing the credibility of the test results.

Employers and professionals benefit from this reliability, as it ensures that test outcomes remain unaltered, providing an unquestionable measure of an individual’s substance use authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations are integral to the services in Advance, MI, providing hassle-free testing access for individuals and employers. With numerous centers spread across the country, obtaining tests becomes a straightforward process.

This widespread availability aims to mitigate logistical barriers, ensuring seamless test initiation and completion, catering to a broad audience with diverse geographic needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process is a key feature of hair follicle testing in Advance, MI, emphasizing privacy and ease. From scheduling to testing and receiving results, the process is designed to respect individual confidentiality.

Clients appreciate this streamlined approach, which underscores accessibility while maintaining discretion, addressing any concerns related to privacy breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Advance, MI, highlights the competitive edge offered by hair follicle testing. Effectively balancing cost and efficiency, these tests provide excellent value.

With prompt results and reasonable pricing, companies of various sizes find value, ensuring peace of mind and budget adherence while adhering to thorough testing standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are the cornerstone of hair follicle testing in Advance, MI. These tests offer a precise and rapid means of detecting substance use. By analyzing hair samples, the tests achieve a high degree of accuracy, which becomes instrumental in making informed decisions.

This method, revered for its prompt results, ensures that individuals receive their test outcomes swiftly and dependably. The efficiency of hair follicle testing is unmatched, providing a reliable solution in substance use identification.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers is ensured through hair follicle testing in Advance, MI. By employing this testing method, companies adhere easily to drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and fostering a secure workplace environment.

Such compliance not only guarantees safety but also brings a sense of tranquility to employers, knowing they are backed by a reliable and esteemed testing procedure.

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