Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to three months for substances. Hair samples are straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For additional tests like EtG and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair covers all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The drug test laboratory process encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is entered into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample’s seal and shipment integrity, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective measure for dismissing drug use in most samples, confirmed results are necessary for legal validity. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
In cases where the Screening phase suggests positivity, additional hair is taken from the sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, which makes hair drug screening technically challenging.
Results needing confirmation proceed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumptively positive sample is pre-cleaned before confirmation if required. The laboratory operations from Accessioning through Confirmation comply with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Choose Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Tests
In Bridgetown, MS, hair follicle testing emerges as a superior alternative to urine tests because it provides enhanced detection accuracy and credibility. While urine tests are common, they often fall short in detecting longer-term substance use. Hair tests, with their extended detection window, offer a more thorough evaluation of one's drug habits, providing results that cannot be easily contested.
Extended Detection Window in Bridgetown, MS
Hair follicle drug tests cover a significantly extended detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days. This capability provides employers with critical insights into an individual's extended substance use history, offering a broader perspective compared to other testing methods. This extended overview facilitates informed decision-making, fostering a safer and more dependable work environment.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle tests in Bridgetown, MS, substantially minimize the risk of sample tampering, delivering consistently reliable results. Unlike urine samples, which may be manipulated, hair tests undergo rigorous collection and analysis. This process assures trustworthy outcomes and promotes confidence in the veracity of the drug testing results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Accredited Drug Testing offers extensive accessibility with numerous nationwide centers, including local options in Bridgetown, MS. This widespread network guarantees swift and straightforward access to drug testing services, ensuring convenience for companies and individuals alike. It's about making testing not only necessary but also straightforward and hassle-free.
Simple, Confidential Process
We provide a simple and confidential process for conducting hair follicle drug tests in Bridgetown, MS. The straightforward ordering, testing, and result delivery process respects individual privacy. Maintaining strict confidentiality ensures clients receive results securely, addressing any privacy concerns effortlessly.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Offering competitive pricing coupled with swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Bridgetown, MS, provide significant value. Catering to companies of varying sizes, we emphasize affordability without compromising on quality or timing, ensuring a seamless and economical testing process for all our clients.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Bridgetown, MS, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed. This testing method can detect substances with high accuracy, eliminating doubts about the effectiveness of drug screening. The thoroughness of these tests ensures peace of mind by confirming that actionable data is being used to make critical decisions regarding substance use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Bridgetown, MS, benefit from hair follicle testing as it assists in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method helps reduce legal liabilities and elevate workplace safety. By choosing hair testing, employers ensure a thorough and consistent application of their drug policies, securing peace of mind in their recruitment and retention processes.
