Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. A long-term history of alcohol and other substances can be determined via hair, as it captures biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, advanced tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is suggested. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may suffice. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result laboratory processing includes four chief steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a laboratory system. This involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishing any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for court admissibility. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening demand an additional confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result in Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation during Extraction. In this phase, substance extraction from hair occurs at a markedly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. Every step in the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: Hair testing surpasses the conventional urine tests by offering superior detection periods and accuracy. The extended detection window and inability to tamper with results make it a more reliable choice for employers or legal settings, providing peace of mind and trustworthy analysis.
Extended Detection Window in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: The capability of hair follicle testing to track drug use up to 90 days back provides employers a superb overview of an individual's substance use history. This extensive detection window is valuable in making informed choices about potential hires' reliability and past behavior.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: Hair follicle tests are designed to minimize the risk of sample tampering, offering unquestionable and reliable results. This feature is crucial in ensuring the integrity of the testing process, yielding authentic insights into substance use.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: Our widespread network of testing centers provides easy access to services, promoting swift and hassle-free drug testing experiences. Local availability ensures that neither time nor effort is wasted.
Simple, Confidential Process in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: Our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and secure, from ordering the test to receiving results. This process respects user privacy and ensures a seamless experience, addressing any privacy concerns efficiently.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: Our competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times offer exceptional value, suiting the budget of companies, regardless of size, while also ensuring they receive quick and reliable results.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid, precise results, providing the highest standards in substance detection. The accuracy ensures you receive a dependable assessment of drug use, allowing for confident decision-making in professional or legal settings within Fountain N' Lakes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fountain N' Lakes, MO: By implementing hair follicle testing, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only mitigates potential legal issues but also enhances the safety and harmony of the work environment.
