Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair can offer a lasting record of drug and alcohol intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected from near the scalp, it can reveal drug or alcohol use for up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, posing challenges to tampering, and is convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields 100mg, perfect for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is ideal. It's advisable to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Overview of Procedure
The essential stages in processing a drug test result in the lab are: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the initial sample is integrated into the lab's system. This step includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug use for most samples, any positive findings require validation to stand in court. Samples testing positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
When Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at far reduced concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation for any screening that tests positive is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, alongside accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Even though commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Sherard, MS, hair follicle testing provides a robust alternative to urine tests. While urine tests detect recent use, hair tests track drug history over longer periods. Benefits include:
The hair follicle test's extended detection window in Sherard, MS offers unparalleled insight. With a reach of up to 90 days, it provides a full account of drug usage.
Hair follicle tests in Sherard, MS are designed to be tamper-resistant. Their integrity minimizes sample adulteration risks:
Testing convenience is paramount in Sherard, MS, with nearby centers and nationwide locations.
Ordering a hair follicle test in Sherard, MS is both simple and confidential. Simplicity and privacy are key:
Enjoy affordable pricing on hair tests in Sherard, MS. Our rate structure provides value to employers:
Hair follicle drug testing in Sherard, MS offers fast, reliable, and accurate results. Precision is the hallmark of hair tests, ensuring confidence in their findings.
Using hair tests helps Sherard, MS employers maintain drug-free policies, ensuring compliance. Peace and reduced legal risks are added advantages.