Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by securing biomarkers within the growing hair strand fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to dispatch.
A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and verifying. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test result in the lab involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This process involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug usage on most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity in the Screening stage, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at markedly lower concentrations than in other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to conduct.
Validation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Constraints:
Note: Despite often being termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis examines the hair strand, not the sub-scalp hair follicle
In Alpena, MI, hair follicle testing offers advantages over urine analysis. It's highly reliable for detecting substance use with superior accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair samples reveal an extended drug use timeline, spanning months rather than days. This offers institutions an assurance unmatched by traditional urine tests, making it the favored choice.
Employers and legal entities benefit from hair testing due to its precision in capturing historical substance use. This is essential for maintaining high standards, unlike urine testing which can easily overlook long-term consumption. Hair tests, therefore, provide a thorough snapshot, ensuring clarity and dependability in drug screening results.
The appeal of hair follicle tests in Alpena, MI, lies in their extended detection window. They reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests limited to recent usage. This extended window provides employers with a broader picture of an individual's substance history, aiding informed hiring decisions.
Employers seeking insights into long-standing substance habits opt for hair follicle tests due to their expansive detection range. These tests thus empower companies to maintain a safe, compliant workforce aligned with business values and expectations.
In Alpena, MI, hair follicle tests are recognized for their tamper-resistant nature, reducing adulteration risks. Unlike urine tests, which are prone to manipulation, hair tests maintain integrity from collection to analysis, producing trustworthy outcomes.
The robust security of hair testing assures employers and other entities of valid results. The reduced tampering risk enhances the reliability of test outcomes, making them a preferable option for accurate drug screening.
Convenience defines our nationwide and local testing centers in Alpena, MI. With widespread availability, accessing Accredited Drug Testing services is straightforward and practical, promising efficient, seamless testing procedures across numerous locations.
Our testing network guarantees quick, hassle-free access to drug testing services. This convenience ensures both ease of scheduling and prompt service, crucial for meeting testing needs without delay.
In Alpena, MI, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to reporting, every step is designed to protect privacy while ensuring ease of use, assisting clients in their testing requirements without complicating the procedure.
The streamlined methodology promises a comfortable testing experience, addressing users' privacy concerns and fostering confidence in the integrity and discretion of the process.
In Alpena, MI, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing, enhancing value for businesses. The fast turnaround of results, coupled with cost-effectiveness, aligns with company budgets, providing notable savings while ensuring premium drug testing services.
Offering affordability combined with speed, our hair tests present businesses of any size with an ideal balance of price and quality, establishing Accredited Drug Testing as a preferred choice for reliable substance screening.
In Alpena, MI, hair follicle drug tests epitomize fast and exact outcomes. They efficiently identify past substance use, unparalleled in accuracy compared to other methods. With rapid result turnaround, these tests cater to employers', courts', and individuals' demands for precision, instilling trust in the process and its data.
Hair follicle tests deliver swift, accurate reports that are crucial for decision-makers, whether for probationary assessments or pre-employment screenings. The confidence these tests inspire emanates from their distinct blend of speed and precise substance detection.
Employers in Alpena, MI, favor hair follicle testing for compliance and peace of mind. Such testing upholds drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal exposures and bolstering safety and productivity, thus ensuring compliance without compromising the organization's ethos.
By choosing hair testing, employers demonstrate commitment to maintaining a secure and healthy work environment. This ensures adherence to workplace standards and fosters a cohesive, responsible workforce.
