Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a lengthy record of alcohol and other drugs through the capture of biomarkers within the strands as they grow. By collecting hair near the scalp, the detection period for alcohol and other drugs extends up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to alter, and conveniently transportable.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands near the scalp provides 100mg, an optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a corresponding amount of body hair is applicable. The term 'head hair' refers exclusively to scalp hair. Meanwhile, 'body hair' encompasses other types such as facial, axillary, etc.
Process Overview
Processing a drug test result in the lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any remaining data entry not provided via an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers an immediate drug abuse check. While cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Samples appearing presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
For samples presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening particularly complex.
Confirmation of positive screenings is executed utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Any presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and follows accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine tests in Walled Lake, MI, the benefits are clear. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, providing a reliable method for identifying drug and alcohol use. While urine tests might seem more common, the extensive detection period of hair tests provides a complete substance history, securing accurate and dependable results.
Hair follicle testing in Walled Lake, MI, offers an impressively long detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use history. It provides a comprehensive picture of a person's habits, surpassing the capabilities of other testing methods with shorter detection limits.
One major benefit of hair follicle tests in Walled Lake, MI, is their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine samples, which can be altered, hair samples are much harder to compromise. This significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, ensuring that the results are both uncontaminated and trustworthy, providing a strong layer of security in substance use verification.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Walled Lake, MI, accessing hair follicle testing services is simple and hassle-free. The broad network ensures quick and seamless testing procedures, which is especially beneficial for companies needing consistent and easy drug screening services across multiple locations.
The hair follicle testing process in Walled Lake, MI, is designed to be straightforward and private. Individuals can order, perform, and receive test results with ease, knowing their privacy is safeguarded. This ensures a smooth testing journey, with confidentiality maintained at every step, addressing any concerns regarding personal data.
In Walled Lake, MI, hair follicle testing showcases competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Companies of all sizes benefit from the affordable rates and quick results, offering excellent value while maintaining peace of mind. This makes hair testing a suitable option for businesses looking for quality and cost-effectiveness in their drug screening processes.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Walled Lake, MI, are unmatched. Hair tests provide reliable results by analyzing samples taken directly from an individual, which eliminates errors seen in other testing methods. With hair follicle tests, results are generated quickly and accurately, ensuring that the process is both efficient and effective for detecting substance use.
Employers in Walled Lake, MI, benefit greatly from hair follicle testing as it aids compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method assists in minimizing legal liabilities and improving safety standards. By choosing hair testing, employers ensure consistency in their policies, fostering a safer and legally compliant working environment.
