Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended historical record of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can reveal substance usage for a period extending up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest the specimen be weighed on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. In this context, head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning constitutes the initial phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This encompasses checking that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. While Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing a presumptive positive outcome in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive result during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered one of the most complex methodologies to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Smithville, MS, hair follicle testing is superior to urine testing due to its unmatched accuracy and reliability. While urine tests may only identify recent drug usage, hair tests provide a comprehensive view of long-term patterns, making them ideal for screening in sensitive contexts.
In Smithville, MS, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use data over the past 90 days. This enables employers to have a complete understanding of an employee's or candidate's substance history, essential for informed decision-making.
The risk of tampering with drug test samples is significantly minimized with hair follicle testing in Smithville, MS. This method ensures the integrity and reliability of the results, reducing the scope for untrustworthy outcomes compared to other testing techniques.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenience in Smithville, MS, with nationwide and local testing centers. Quick, straightforward access to these facilities ensures effortless adherence to testing needs across various locations, minimizing downtime and inconvenience.
Testing in Smithville, MS, is simple and confidential with our streamlined process. From ordering a test to receiving results, our procedures ensure privacy and ease for all users, addressing common concerns effectively.
Accredited Drug Testing in Smithville, MS, presents competitive pricing models with rapid turnaround times. This combination offers excellent value to businesses of all sizes, allowing for effective financial planning while ensuring timely and accurate test results.
Hair follicle drug tests in Smithville, MS, deliver swift, precise outcomes. These tests ensure high accuracy in identifying substance use, surpassing other methods. The efficiency in detection means results can be processed quickly, providing dependable insights into an individual's drug use habits.
Employers in Smithville, MS, achieve peace of mind and compliance with drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and enhances the safety of the workplace by upholding stringent substance use standards.
