Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a comprehensive record of substances by embedding biomarkers within its strands during growth. By taking samples near the scalp, hair can show alcohol and drug use for up to a three-month period. It's straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hairs (approximately as thick as a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing. For EtG, extensive tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg is preferable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for accuracy in weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not accessible, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in lab analysis of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into the laboratory system. This stage involves confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary test for detecting substance abuse. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug use in the majority of cases, positive results require confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples with an initial positive result in Screening need further validation.
Should Screening suggest positivity, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower levels than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair testing is particularly challenging.
Any positive Screening result undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Preceding Confirmation, all positive samples are cleansed as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the lab process is evaluated following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and is certified to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is of the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Utica, MI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests through superior detection and consistency. Hair testing offers an extended detection window and is difficult to manipulate, unlike urine tests.
Employers and authorities prefer hair tests as they provide reliable results based on long-term substance use, offering a holistic overview of an individual's drug history, unlike standard urine tests.
In Utica, MI, hair follicle testing offers a prolonged detection window up to 90 days, providing employers with a comprehensive insight into a candidate’s drug history. With this extended period, it grants a broader look into substance use habits.
The detailed view offered by hair follicle tests assists employers in making informed hiring decisions, as it covers a much wider timespan than urine tests, enhancing the drug testing process.
Hair follicle testing in Utica, MI, greatly minimizes the chances of sample tampering, standing as a reliable testing method. Where urine tests can be manipulated, hair tests ensure consistent outcomes.
Due to the unique nature of hair collection, hair follicle tests are resistant to adulteration, ensuring accurate screening, and unassailable results for organizations and individuals.
Our extensive network of testing centers, including local sites in Utica, MI, guarantees straightforward and accessible testing services nationwide, removing geographical barriers to drug testing.
With an easy reach nationally and locally, individuals and organizations in Utica can benefit from our hassle-free and expansive hair follicle drug testing, contributing to a smooth experience.
In Utica, MI, our hair follicle drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease of use for all individuals involved right from ordering to receiving results.
Participants can expect a seamless procedure, whether by appointment or walk-in, with ensured discretion across all stages of testing, tailored for convenience and privacy.
Positioned as a cost-effective solution, our pricing structure in Utica, MI, is highly competitive, with fast turnaround times, serving all-sized businesses with efficient hair follicle drug testing.
Our well-balanced pricing alongside speedy results offers tremendous value and peace of mind, delivering unparalleled service excellence for companies, from small firms to large enterprises.
The precision and quick results of hair follicle drug testing in Utica, MI, set it apart from traditional methods. Hair tests provide high accuracy in identifying past substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes swiftly.
Owing to meticulous testing procedures, hair follicle drug analyzes yield trustworthy results, promptly addressing any concerns about potential drug use efficiently and effectively in the workplace.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Utica, MI, employers can uphold their drug-free workplace policies confidently and enhance workplace safety. Its robust detection reduces legal complications.
Hair tests offer organizations peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug regulations, which helps create a more secure and responsible working environment for everyone involved.