Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reflect up to a three-month detection timeline for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Drug test result processing in a lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first phase, where a sample is entered into the lab’s system. This step includes checking if the sample was properly packaged and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data required by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid test for the presence of drugs. While Screening is cost-efficient for detecting drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require follow-up confirmation.
If a sample is identified as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is certified under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the scalp’s hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lauderdale, MS
Hair testing surpasses the traditional urine tests by offering exceptional detection precision and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a longer detection period, making them ideal for employers eager to maintain a drug-free environment and deter drug usage efficiently.
Extended Detection Window in Lauderdale, MS
The ability to detect drug use over a period of up to 90 days with hair follicle testing affords employers an in-depth understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use history, outperforming other testing methods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lauderdale, MS
Hair follicle tests substantially lower the risk of sample tampering, offering trustworthy and concrete results. This method ensures that test outcomes remain unquestionable, providing confidence in the findings.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lauderdale, MS
Our nationwide testing centers offer seamless access to drug testing services, ensuring prompt, effortless, and stress-free testing experiences for all individuals.
Simple, Confidential Process in Lauderdale, MS
The process for ordering and undergoing a hair follicle test and receiving the results is straightforward and confidential. It addresses privacy concerns while offering a user-friendly experience, ensuring ease throughout.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lauderdale, MS
Our competitive pricing plans and swift turnaround times provide outstanding value for companies. These services cater to businesses of various sizes, delivering both affordability and rapid service completion.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lauderdale, MS
Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision and swiftness, offering high accuracy in identifying substance use. It promises quick analysis and dependable results, benefiting both users and administrators with its reliability in drug detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lauderdale, MS
By adopting hair follicle testing, companies can comply with workplace drug-free regulations, mitigating legal risks and fostering a secure work environment. This approach ensures workplace safety and offers peace of mind for employers.
