Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of long-term alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hairs (roughly equal to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair accounts for all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The four key stages in the lab analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This entails confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, issuing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economically viable approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be recognized in court. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If screening indicates a presumptively positive sample, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and made ready for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than in alternate methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains the challenge in conducting hair drug screening.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the actual test examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
In Neosho, MO, hair follicle testing offers advantages over traditional urine testing. The expanded detection window of hair tests reveals a more comprehensive history of drug use, providing employers with essential insights. The accuracy and reliability of this method are superior, making it difficult to cheat, unlike urine tests that are often subject to manipulation. Employers, therefore, have a robust method to ensure a drug-free workplace.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Neosho, MO uncovers drug usage up to 90 days back. For employers, this expanded timeline provides a thorough overview of an individual's substance use history, offering extensive insight compared to shorter testing windows. Such comprehensive detection allows for informed decision-making based on a clearer picture of potential employees' drug use patterns.
Hair follicle testing in Neosho, MO, significantly reduces the potential for sample tampering. Unlike urine tests prone to adulteration and substitution, hair tests deliver tamper-resistant results, securing trustworthy and indisputable findings. This unalterable method of testing provides peace of mind, guaranteeing that the results reflect true exposure to drugs or alcohol over time.
With convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Neosho, MO, accessing hair follicle drug testing is simple and hassle-free. This network makes scheduling easy, offering quick and reliable testing solutions to suit client needs. The widespread availability of our testing services ensures that accurate results are always within reach.
In Neosho, MO, the process for hair follicle testing is intentionally straightforward and confidential. Ordering, undergoing the test, and receiving the results are streamlined, emphasizing privacy throughout the entire process. Clients have peace of mind knowing that confidentiality and simplicity are priorities from start to finish.
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Neosho, MO, is both affordable and efficient. Companies can benefit from excellent value, ensuring they receive reliable testing results without sacrificing budget or time. This value combination is ideal for organizations of any size seeking dependable testing solutions.
In Neosho, MO, the precision and rapid results of hair follicle drug tests stand out as a superior method for substance detection. The hair test delivers high accuracy, ensuring that drug and alcohol use is reliably identified. Thanks to these efficient tests, accurate results are quickly provided to meet the needs of clients seeking thorough and dependable drug testing methods.
In Neosho, MO, employing hair follicle testing aids in adhering to workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks, and fostering a safe environment. By relying on this method, employers ensure compliance with regulations and gain reassurance that their policies are being upheld consistently, thereby maintaining a safe and productive workplace for all employees.
