Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a formidable resource for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to about a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect hair, somewhat hard to tamper with it, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion comprised of around 200 strands of hair (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the perfect specimen amount for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be permissible in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. Both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards oversee and review the entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as “hair follicle tests,†the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Crystal Falls, MI, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are evident. Hair tests provide enhanced detection reliability and greater accuracy, making them superior in identifying substance use. The prolonged detection window allows for a more comprehensive assessment, offering employers and other entities a more reliable drug testing method compared to traditional urinary evaluation.
Crystal Falls, MI benefits from hair follicle testing, known for its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This method offers employers an in-depth understanding of an individual's substance use background, making it the optimal choice for a thorough evaluation of both applicants and current employees alike.
In Crystal Falls, MI, the integrity of hair follicle testing is unmatched, significantly minimizing the risk of sample tampering. The test's design and procedure deliver undeniable results, ensuring that employers and other institutions receive trustworthy data devoid of potential adulteration.
Convenience in testing is paramount in Crystal Falls, MI, with widespread availability through our national network of centers. This accessibility guarantees a seamless, hassle-free testing process, making it straightforward for individuals and employers to avail themselves of reliable drug testing services locally and nationwide.
Crystal Falls, MI residents enjoy a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing. Ordering, conducting, and receiving test results are streamlined for ease of use while ensuring privacy, addressing any concerns about discretion and straightforwardness in the drug testing journey.
In Crystal Falls, MI, our hair follicle testing is distinguished by competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, offering tremendous value. Businesses, regardless of size, find our services cost-effective and reassuring, knowing they receive high-quality testing results swiftly without financial strain.
In Crystal Falls, MI, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its swiftness and precision, ensuring highly accurate identification of substance use. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, these tests can rapidly produce reliable results, reducing waiting times while maintaining exceptional accuracy in detecting even trace amounts of drugs.
Employers in Crystal Falls, MI find reassurance in hair follicle testing as it ensures alignment with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities. This testing method contributes to a safer work environment, bolstering compliance and providing peace of mind with its dependable results.
