Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged timeline of drugs and alcohol by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. A sample taken near the scalp can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to 90 days. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional add-ons, and/or extensive panels beyond 10, it's advised to have 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for accuracy. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, the same quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair includes facial, axillary, and other hair types.
Process Overview
The four principal steps in processing a drug test in a lab setting are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample enters the laboratory’s system, where verification of its proper sealing and shipment occurs, a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any additional data not captured electronically is entered.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug consumption in most cases, any positive indications require further confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that exhibit a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
For those samples with a presumptive positive result from Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing the most challenging method to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, aligns with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) accreditation for Hair and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Estill, MS, the benefits of hair over traditional urine tests are evident.
Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in Estill, MS, provides a lengthy detection span, tracing substance use over an impressive 90 days.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
The hair follicle testing approach in Estill, MS, significantly diminishes sample adulteration risks.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Our nationwide centers, including those in Estill, MS, make testing accessible and hassle-free.
Simple, Confidential Process
Estill, MS residents will find the hair testing process straightforward and secure.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Enjoy competitive pricing structures with swift results in Estill, MS.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Estill, MS, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and swiftness.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
For businesses in Estill, MS, hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies.