Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a key method for identifying usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair samples can reflect a roughly 3-month timeframe for identifying alcohol and drug use. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A collection of 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the suitable quantity for testing and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additives, and/or panels exceeding 10, it's suggested to collect 150mg. It is advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If hair from the scalp cannot be collected, the same amount from body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial hair, underarm hair, etc.).
Overview of the Procedure
The laboratory processing of drug test results includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the primary step of integrating a sample within a lab’s system. This process ensures that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, provides a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing information not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial assessment to detect drugs of abuse. Screening is an economical method to exclude drug involvement in most cases; however, to ensure validity in legal situations, a positive screen must undergo further confirmation. Samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening need subsequent verification.
For samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is secured from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at a significantly diluted level compared to other methods (e.g., urine or salivary testing), making hair drug screening one of the most intricate processes.
The confirmation of any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Presumptively positive samples undergo a cleansing procedure before confirmation where necessary. The complete lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Pros of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on analyzing the hair strand rather than the follicle itself located beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in McNeill, MS, proves superior to traditional urine tests by offering increased accuracy and reliability. While both methods detect drug use, hair testing is less prone to manipulation and provides a longer detection window.
Employers in McNeill, MS, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing, which can reveal drug use for up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive history of substance use, offering a clearer picture of an individual's habits.
Hair follicle testing in McNeill, MS, ensures a tamper-resistant method of drug screening. By significantly reducing the chance of sample adulteration, this testing method delivers trustworthy and undeniable results.
Conveniently located testing centers in McNeill, MS, offer easy access to drug testing services. Our nationwide network ensures a quick and hassle-free experience, making testing accessible for everyone.
The hair follicle testing process in McNeill, MS, is simple and confidential, addressing privacy and ease-of-use concerns. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the process is designed to be straightforward and secure.
In McNeill, MS, affordable pricing and fast turnaround times are key features of our hair follicle testing services. We offer competitive pricing structures and rapid results, providing excellent value for organizations.
In McNeill, MS, when it comes to drug testing, speed and accuracy are crucial. Hair follicle drug tests offer fast and precise results, detecting substance use with high accuracy. This ensures effective and reliable outcomes every time.
For employers in McNeill, MS, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks and enhances occupational safety, offering peace of mind and a secure work environment.
