Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination is regarded as a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and substances. Hair is effortless to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hairs (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or for tests exceeding ten panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When addressing head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample within a lab’s system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary brief evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be admissible legally. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptive positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the primary sample and readied for Extraction. During this step, drugs are derived from hair at a notably lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), attributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Archie, MO, offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Compared to urine testing, hair testing can detect drug use over a much longer period, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. This prolonged detection window provides a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history.
Employers in Archie, MO, benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days in the past, this method gives a complete substance use profile of employees or job applicants, aiding in informed decision-making for the workplace.
The hair follicle test administered in Archie, MO, significantly reduces the chance of sample tampering. Through its inherent tamper-resistant testing method, it delivers results that are both reliable and undeniable, ensuring integrity in drug testing procedures.
With convenient testing sites both nationwide and locally in Archie, MO, our services are easily accessible. These strategically placed locations facilitate quick and hassle-free access to testing, ensuring the process is efficient for every client.
In Archie, MO, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to ensure privacy and ease for clients, addressing potential concerns regarding confidentiality and user-friendliness.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, our hair follicle testing in Archie, MO, provides outstanding value. Suitable for businesses of any size, we ensure affordability while maintaining quick service delivery for peace of mind.
In Archie, MO, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. These tests are highly accurate when it comes to identifying substance use, ensuring reliable results in a timely manner. This is invaluable for both employers and individuals who need dependable test outcomes for decision-making.
For businesses in Archie, MO, hair follicle testing aligns with compliance requirements, supporting a drug-free workplace. This minimizes legal risks and fosters a safe working environment, offering peace of mind to employers maintaining strict substance use policies.
