Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The recognition of hair testing as a potent resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption has grown. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Sampling hair close to the scalp can yield a detection timeframe of up to approximately three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp can provide 100mg of hair, which is an optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. In cases involving EtG, additional substances, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable volume of body hair is permissible. By head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial introduction of a sample into a lab’s system, which includes ensuring proper sealing and shipping, allocating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finishing any supplementary data input absent in an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening can economically exclude drug use in most samples, any positive results need confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
An indicative positive result during Screening leads to additional hair being extracted from the same sample for the Extraction step. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than from other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug testing.
Positive findings in the Screening are substantiated utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Opt for Hair Testing over Urine Testing?
In Wade, MS, hair follicle tests offer superior accuracy in detecting drugs over traditional urine tests. With a longer detection span and enhanced reliability, hair tests cater to stringent drug detection needs, bridging gaps that urine tests often leave unaddressed.
Extended Detection Horizon
Employers in Wade, MS, gain a detailed perspective of an individual’s drug use history with hair follicle tests, covering up to 90 days. This extensive detection window ensures a thorough evaluation, offering insights that span far beyond the limits of other testing forms.
A Shield Against Tampering
Hair follicle tests in Wade, MS, present a robust barrier against adulteration. The nature of sample collection and testing significantly reduces risks of tampering, assuring organizations of trustworthy and unfalsifiable test results.
Hassle-Free Testing Locations
Enjoy the convenience of our extensive testing centers, both nationwide and locally in Wade, MS. Our locations offer seamless access to testing services, ensuring a stress-free experience for all your testing needs.
Streamlined and Confidential
The process of ordering, undergoing, and receiving hair follicle test results in Wade, MS, is designed for ease and privacy. Ensuring confidentiality, our approach addresses privacy concerns while facilitating a simple testing experience for everyone.
Cost-Effective Solutions with Quick Results
In Wade, MS, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. This ensures exceptional value for businesses irrespective of their size, combining affordability with reliable, expedited results.
In Wade, MS, hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in speed and precision. They provide accurate substance use detections, offering reliability that users can trust. Quick and effective, these tests uphold high standards in identifying drug history, ensuring precise and dependable outcomes with every examination.
Compliance and Assurance for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle tests in Wade, MS, helps maintain compliance with workplace drug-free mandates. This method not only reduces legal exposure but also strengthens workplace safety and peace of mind for employers, ensuring a secure working environment.