Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair, it offers a long-term record of alcohol and other substances. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and other drugs over an approximate 3-month timeframe. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For tests like EtG, additional panels, and those above 10, 150mg of hair is preferred. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal stages in lab processing for a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial input of a sample into a laboratory's system, ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial swift assessment for abuse substances. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to negate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples preliminarily positive during Screening necessitate secondary validation.
If a sample returns presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original sample for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at markedly lower concentrations than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques verify any positive screening results. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed both under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 certification.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Rockport, MI, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are clear. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it the preferred choice. The extended detection period and robustness against tampering mean that hair testing can reveal drug use that urine tests might miss, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.
For employers in Rockport, MI, hair follicle testing stands out due to its extended detection window, allowing drug use to be traced back up to 90 days. This longer timeframe provides a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance habits, helping employers make informed decisions about potential hires or policy compliance.
Hair follicle tests in Rockport, MI, offer a robust solution against sample adulteration. The nature of hair testing makes it significantly tamper-resistant, ensuring that the results are reliable and trustworthy. This level of security is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the testing process.
In Rockport, MI, our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures convenience for accessing hair follicle testing services. Whether locally or across state lines, clients benefit from a simple and hassle-free testing experience, providing quick access to accurate results.
Rockport, MI residents find the hair follicle testing process to be simple and confidential. The straightforward procedure for ordering tests, undergoing sample collection, and receiving results respects privacy without compromising ease of use, making it a seamless experience.
Our hair follicle testing services in Rockport, MI, stand out due to their affordable pricing and rapid turnaround. These competitive pricing structures, coupled with quick results, offer noteworthy value to businesses, regardless of size, enhancing their operational efficiency and peace of mind.
In Rockport, MI, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision in providing accurate and reliable results swiftly. Hair testing excels in identifying substance use, offering an unmatched level of accuracy and trustworthiness compared to conventional methods. With its quick processing time, individuals and organizations can rely on timely and precise findings.
Utilizing hair follicle tests in Rockport, MI, brings compliance and peace of mind to employers. These tests ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and elevating safety standards. Employers can confidently rely on these tests to uphold a safe and compliant work environment.
