Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The application of hair testing has emerged as an influential technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of prolonged drug and alcohol use due to the embedding of biomarkers within the hair strands as they grow. Sampling hair near the scalp can offer a detection window for alcohol and drugs that extends to about three months. The process of acquiring hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
Gathering a 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) next to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary, and/or over 10-panel assessments, a sample amounting to 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for specimen measurement is suggested. Should scalp hair be absent, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair, while body hair denotes any other hair types (like facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning concerns the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory system. This includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for recreational drugs. Although Screening efficiently rules out drug consumption in most samples and is cost-effective, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample prove presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction preparation. At this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex methodology.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive status undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Wyatte, MS: Hair testing provides superior detection over traditional urine tests, offering an unmatched accuracy and reliability. It stands out for its capacity to uncover substance usage over a much longer period compared to urine tests, thus giving employers a more comprehensive picture.
Extended Detection Window in Wyatte, MS: Hair follicle testing allows for the identification of drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This comprehensive detection range gives employers insight into an applicant or employee’s extended substance use history, ensuring a well-rounded view of their habits in Wyatte.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wyatte, MS: Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the chance of adulteration. The method ensures reliable and indisputable results, making it a trusted solution that guards against sample tampering, providing peace of mind for those in Wyatte, MS.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Wyatte, MS: With numerous centers across the country and in Wyatte, MS, testing becomes easily accessible. Our network ensures a quick, straightforward, and stress-free testing experience for all, catering to various locations.
Simple, Confidential Process in Wyatte, MS: Experience the ease and confidentiality in ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle testing. We prioritize your privacy and aim to simplify the entire process, addressing any concerns about privacy and ease of use in Wyatte, MS.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wyatte, MS: Competitive pricing and speedy results characterize our services. By providing excellent value and quick turnaround times, we cater to companies of all sizes in Wyatte, MS, ensuring peace of mind and affordability.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Wyatte, MS: Hair follicle testing offers unparalleled precision and rapidity. It is recognized for its supreme accuracy in detecting substance use, making it an ideal choice for quick and dependable results, serving the needs of those in Wyatte, MS looking for thorough and detailed substance detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wyatte, MS: Implementing hair follicle testing can guarantee adherence to workplace drug-free protocols, significantly minimizing legal liabilities and promoting safer work environments in Wyatte. It's an ideal choice for compliance.
