Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests have emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by retaining biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When samples are gathered near the scalp, they can detect drugs and alcohol for up to around three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmatory testing. For EtG, add-ons, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test processing involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the phase where a sample is initially integrated into a laboratory's system. It comprises confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening mandate further confirmation.
Should a sample be tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is removed from the initial specimen for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Clawson, MI, hair testing emerges superior due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Urine tests might identify immediate substance use, but hair tests provide a wider detection scope. Hair tests are less intrusive, mitigate privacy concerns, and offer a nearly insurmountable challenge for those attempting to alter results for their benefit.
Hair follicle testing in Clawson, MI, offers an extended detection window, encompassing up to 90 days of potential substance use. This extended period gives employers a thorough view of an individual’s substance history, contributing to more informed hiring or retention decisions. It surpasses the timeframe of urine tests, allowing a deeper insight into past consumption behavior, essential for maintaining high workplace standards.
Hair follicle tests in Clawson, MI, stand out for their tamper-resistant methodology. They drastically lower the chances of sample adulteration, delivering results that are both reliable and difficult to contest. Compared to urine tests, hair testing’s rigorous nature ensures that sample integrity remains intact. This makes hair testing a trusted choice for ensuring unaltered results that uphold testing credibility.
Accredited Drug Testing offers nationwide testing centers, bringing convenience to Clawson, MI. Our local and national locations guarantee easy access to our testing services, facilitating quick and hassle-free testing appointments. This expansive network ensures that our clients receive timely and efficient testing services, making it straightforward for individuals and employers to get the testing they require.
In Clawson, MI, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. The seamless ordering, testing, and result-receiving protocol ensures user privacy and simplicity. Our approach not only addresses privacy concerns but also eases the stress often associated with testing procedures, reinforcing our commitment to client care and confidentiality in all matters relating to substance testing.
Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times make our services in Clawson, MI, highly competitive. Companies of all sizes benefit from our value-driven pricing structures, ensuring access to quality drug testing without financial strain. With our quick processing, clients receive their results promptly, supporting business operations with minimal interruptions to their productivity.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Clawson, MI, are unmatched. These tests ensure high accuracy in identifying substance use, offering fast results that employers and individuals can trust. With their ability to swiftly detect a wide range of substances, they provide reliable outcomes, supporting informed decision-making.
Their rapid processing time and accuracy make them a valuable tool for maintaining a safe and drug-free environment.
For employers in Clawson, MI, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free policies, enabling a safer workplace. By incorporating this method, employers reduce legal liabilities and enhance overall safety, all while ensuring adherence to workplace standards. Hair tests deliver peace of mind by demonstrating a strong commitment to maintaining a secure and productive work environment.