Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has evolved into a valuable technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By encasing biomarkers within the fibers of a developing hair strand, hair offers an extended retrospective overview of alcohol and drugs. When obtained from near the scalp, it can furnish a detection timeframe of approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (nearly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair may be collected. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result is composed of four fundamental stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This step ensures that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any remaining data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not provide.
Screening executes a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although it offers an economical approach to negate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires verification for legal acceptance. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be tentatively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations substantially lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underpinning why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge among methodologies.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples face cleansing prior to verification as necessary. The entire procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Montrose, MS, the benefits are clear. Superior detection accuracy positions hair testing as the preferred choice among many employers.
Employers in Montrose, MS, benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing. This method detects drug use up to 90 days, offering comprehensive insights.
No short-term biases; understand long-term behavioral patterns with accuracy.
Hair follicle tests in Montrose, MS, are tamper-resistant, offering significant advantages in preventing adulteration.
Accredited Drug Testing makes it convenient to access services in Montrose, MS, thanks to nationwide testing locations.
With numerous centers globally, enjoy a hassle-free testing experience across Montrose and beyond.
Residents of Montrose, MS, experience a simple and confidential process for all drug testing needs.
From easy scheduling to secure results retrieval, enjoy privacy with every step of the testing journey.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround for drug tests in Montrose, MS.
Businesses of all sizes appreciate the value provided through affordable solutions and efficient service.
In Montrose, MS, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast and reliable results. Precision and speed play a significant role in these tests, making them ideal for employers.
These tests deliver high accuracy, detecting a wide array of substances that might go undetected in other testing methods.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Montrose, MS, provides peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
This method reduces legal risks and promotes a safe work environment, crucial for any organization.
