Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol usage by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When sourced close to the scalp, hair can yield a detection duration of up to 3 months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or more than 10-panel tests, a sample weighing 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is suggested. In cases where scalp hair is not an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair pertains to other types such as facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The process of laboratory handling of a drug test result consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing extra data entry tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positivity in Screening call for further confirmation.
In instances of a presumptively positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis is the most challenging method to perform.
Positive screening results proceed to Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo cleansing as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Referred to colloquially as "hair follicle tests", it actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Verona, MS offers distinct advantages over urine tests. It provides superior detection accuracy and reliability, ensuring a trustworthy analysis of substance use.
This makes hair testing an ideal option for environments with strict drug use policies.
Hair follicle tests in Verona, MS can detect drug use over a much extended period, up to 90 days, offering a more comprehensive view when evaluating an individual's substance history.
This extended detection window is crucial for thorough assessment.
Hair follicle testing in Verona, MS highly reduces the risk of sample tampering, offering a reliable and unquestionable testing method.
This enhances confidence in the testing process.
Accredited Drug Testing operates nationwide, including convenient locations in Verona, MS, offering easy access to essential testing services with minimal hassle.
This widespread availability elevates convenience for all users.
In Verona, MS, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and secure, ensuring user privacy at every step.
This user-friendly procedure addresses privacy and convenience.
Verona, MS facilities offer competitive pricing and speedy results for hair follicle tests, delivering exceptional value.
This combination ensures affordability without compromising quality.
In Verona, MS, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for speed, accuracy, and reliability, offering an efficient method for detecting substance use. This testing method's precision ensures a high level of accuracy in identifying a range of substances.
The reliability of hair testing makes it a preferred choice for many.
Employers in Verona, MS benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method helps reduce legal risks and promotes a safer work environment.
Ultimately, it provides peace of mind and safety for all.