Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as a potent method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair stores a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fiber. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect hair samples, quite tough to tamper with, and simple to send.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is ideal for assessment and confirmation. For EtG, additional requests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a recommended 150mg is needed. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. Regarding head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core phases in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning phase includes the initial insertion of a sample into a lab’s records. It encompasses confirming the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any further data entry absent from an electronic custody system.
The Screening stage performs a swift preliminary check for substance abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to negate drug use in most cases, a positive result must be validated for legal proceedings. Any samples that are suspected positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is suspected positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original piece and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug analysis is the most intricate methodology.
The Confirmation of any positive screening result is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Carterville, MO
Hair follicle tests offer distinct advantages over urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Carterville, MO
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests provide a thorough understanding of an employee's or applicant's drug use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Carterville, MO
Hair follicle tests offer a high level of resistance to tampering, providing trustworthy results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Carterville, MO
Our widespread testing centers offer convenience and accessibility, making drug testing in Carterville, MO, hassle-free.
Simple, Confidential Process in Carterville, MO
Our hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and privacy, ensuring a seamless experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Carterville, MO
We offer competitive pricing and fast result processing, delivering excellent value for businesses.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Carterville, MO
Our hair follicle tests in Carterville, MO, stand out for their speed and accuracy, offering a precise snapshot of an individual's substance use history.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Carterville, MO
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal exposure.
