Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized for identifying drug and alcohol use. It offers an extensive timeline of substance intake by embedding biomarkers in the hair fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over about 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat tamper-resistant, and transport-friendly.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, an optimal quantity for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or over 10-panel screenings, it is recommended to use 150mg of the sample. Use a jeweler's scale to confirm the specimen's weight. If scalp hair is unavailable, body hair of equivalent mass is an alternative. Note that head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, and body hair includes all other types (like facial or axillary).
Procedure Outline
The key segments in the lab processing of a drug test are Sample Entry, Initial Screening, Substance Extraction, and Test Confirmation.
Sample Entry includes incorporating a specimen into a lab's system. This phase ensures the sample is appropriately sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any data entry lacking in an electronic chain of custody.
Initial Screening conducts a swift evaluation for drug presence. Although cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most specimens, a positive Screening outcome demands confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples testing presumptive positive in Screening need a confirmatory test.
For presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is prepared for Substance Extraction. Here, the concentration of drugs extracted from the hair is significantly lower than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair testing.
Confirmation of any positive results in Screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire testing cycle from Sample Entry to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug screening:
Drawbacks:
Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", this analysis examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bigbee, MS
Hair follicle testing offers clear advantages over traditional urine tests, surpassing them in detection accuracy and reliability. The superior ability to identify long-term substance use makes it the preferred choice for many.
Extended Detection Window in Bigbee, MS
Hair follicle testing extends the detection period for drug use to up to 90 days, offering a thorough examination of an individual’s substance history. This gives employers a more complete understanding of employee behavior.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bigbee, MS
Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the likelihood of sample tampering. Unlike other methods, these tests provide results that are reliable and incontestable, helping maintain the integrity of the testing process.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bigbee, MS
Our widespread network of testing centers guarantees fast, easy access to our services. Whether local or nationwide, our facilities ensure a hassle-free experience for all testing needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Bigbee, MS
Our straightforward, confidential process facilitates easy ordering, testing, and result collection while safeguarding user privacy, ensuring peace of mind for all involved.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bigbee, MS
Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times make our testing services an excellent value, catering to businesses of varying sizes with efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bigbee, MS
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed in detecting substance use. This method's high accuracy ensures that substance use is correctly identified. It's a swift and dependable approach that guarantees trustworthy results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bigbee, MS
Employing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and enhancing workplace safety, providing employers with needed assurance.
