Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Belden, MS

What it is, How it works

Testing with hair has become recognized as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair captures a history of substances over time, enclosing biomarkers within the strands as the hair grows. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it offers a detection range of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively difficult to tamper with, and simple to send.

A sample length of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will amount to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen size for analysis. For tests like EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, it’s recommended to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. Mentioning head hair refers to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other sorts of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial intake of a specimen into the lab’s framework. This includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inserting any additional data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial quick check for substance abuse. Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use on most samples, but a positive screen needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that flag positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to undertake.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory processing from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can pick up drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter span.
• Challenge to falsify: Hair drug tests are tough to cheat, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Shows historical patterns: It can reveal trends of drug usage over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Variable outcomes: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Prevails Over Urine Testing

• Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy.
• They are more reliable than traditional urine tests.
• Belden, MS sees superior outcomes with hair testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window Advantages

• Hair testing detects drug use over a 90-day period.
• Employers in Belden, MS gain insights into substance history.
• This method provides a comprehensive view of drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Security with Hair Follicle Testing

• Hair tests reduce risks of sample tampering.
• They ensure reliable results free from adulteration.
• Belden, MS relies on these tests for their dependability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Access and Local Convenience

• Our centers provide testing across Belden, MS and nationwide.
• Access is swift and hassle-free.
• Convenience is at the forefront of our services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Confidentiality in a Simple Process

• Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward.
• Privacy concerns are addressed efficiently.
• Belden, MS benefits from a confidential testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Quick

• Competitive pricing paired with fast turnaround times.
• Companies receive excellent value and peace of mind.
• Belden, MS, enjoys affordable solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed in Testing

• Hair follicle drug tests deliver fast results with unmatched precision.
• Belden, MS, benefits from their high accuracy in detecting substance use.
• The process ensures reliable data for informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Safety

• Hair follicle tests align with workplace drug policies.
• They minimize legal risks and enhance safety.
• Employers in Belden, MS find peace of mind with this method.

Drug Testing Near Belden, MS

Shannon, MS

Ecru, MS

Mooreville, MS

Mooresville, MS

Wallerville, MS

Woodland, MS

Guntown, MS

Plantersville, MS

Auburn, MS

Verona, MS

Blue Springs, MS

Saltillo, MS

Tupelo, MS

Bissell, MS

Sherman, MS