Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. If collected from near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and can be shipped without hassle.
An ideal specimen for screening and confirmation is a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 strands near the scalp, which typically weighs about 100mg (akin to a #2 pencil's thickness). For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is best to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. The term head hair strictly pertains to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial processing by integrating the sample into the laboratory's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, attributing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any other required data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. It is economical for ruling out drug use in most samples, but positive screenings necessitate further confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening require an additional confirmation phase.
For samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is the most intricate methodology.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Required presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair testing in Oxford, MS triumphs over urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability.
With a proven track record of catching long-term substance use, hair tests enhance drug policy enforcement.
Unlike urine tests, hair testing boasts a broader detection window and higher robustness against cheating methods, ensuring trustworthy results.
Oxford, MS takes hair follicle testing up a notch by offering an extended detection period, often up to 90 days.
This provides a thorough evaluation of a subject’s substance usage history.
With such a comprehensive measure, employers can make informed hiring and management decisions based on a clearer understanding of an individual’s habits.
Choosing hair follicle tests in Oxford, MS significantly cuts down the risk of sample tampering or adulteration.
The robust nature of the collection method warrants reliable and indisputable results.
Such resistance to manipulation ensures high integrity in testing, providing peace of mind to users and stakeholders.
With convenient locations nationwide, including Oxford, MS, our drug testing centers provide an accessible and efficient solution.
The ease of availability ensures that tests are just around the corner, saving time and effort.
This customer-centric focus reinforces our commitment to unparalleled service.
The hair follicle testing process in Oxford, MS is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring customer privacy.
From ordering to taking the test, each step maintains confidentiality and straightforwardness.
Results are discreetly processed, prioritizing user comfort and assuring them of secure handling.
In Oxford, MS, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times.
Affordable fees without compromising quality make our testing a cost-effective option.
Quick result delivery adds value, allowing businesses of all sizes to trust in timely and accurate drug testing services.
Hair follicle testing in Oxford, MS provides a combination of fast and accurate results, setting itself apart by reliably detecting a wide range of substances.
The hair test offers high precision levels, reducing false readings and ensuring certainty in the test outcomes.
Its speed and accuracy make it an optimal choice for various testing needs.
Hair follicle drug testing in Oxford, MS assures employers of compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
By reducing potential legal liabilities, it enhances on-site safety and employers’ peace of mind.
This method is pivotal in promoting a safe and regulation-compliant work environment.
