Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term records of substance use due to the presence of biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair. When hair is trimmed near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to around three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels above 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be sourced. Head hair refers solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab procedures involved in assessing a drug test encompass four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the sample’s preliminary processing into the lab's database. This step confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial swift examination for drugs. It is cost-effective for ruling out drug use among most samples, yet any positive result necessitates confirmation to stand in legal contexts. Samples that are initially positive in Screening need further confirmation.
For samples identified as positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive findings is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples that appear positive are cleaned prior to being confirmed as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, all processes are scrutinized following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Risco, MO: Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. It provides a reliable measure of substance use by capturing a detailed drug history.
While urine tests detect recent use, hair tests uncover prolonged substance use, offering a broader perspective. This makes hair testing advantageous for employers and legally required tests.
Extended Detection Window in Risco, MO: Hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use.
The prolonged detection period offered by hair testing aids employers in understanding overall behaviors rather than recent consumption. This thorough insight supports informed decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Risco, MO: Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to tampering, ensuring trustworthy results. The methodology significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration.
With tamper-resistant properties, hair tests provide reliable outcomes that are difficult to manipulate, offering peace of mind to those relying on the results for important decisions.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Risco, MO: Our numerous testing centers nationwide ensure easy and quick access to hair follicle testing services. Local availability enhances convenience for everyone.
The widespread testing network meets diverse needs, ensuring individuals and organizations have hassle-free access to necessary testing.
Simple, Confidential Process in Risco, MO: Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. Ease of use is prioritized throughout.
The confidential process ensures that individuals’ privacy is respected, making it comfortable for those undergoing testing. The simplicity of the service is a key benefit.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Risco, MO: Competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times make hair follicle testing an excellent value for companies.
Offering affordable solutions with speedy results ensures that businesses small or large can access high-quality testing without financial strain, providing peace of mind.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Risco, MO: Hair follicle drug tests offer impressive precision and speed. These tests efficiently detect substance use, providing clear and accurate results due to their unique detection capabilities.
The accuracy of hair tests ensures reliable outcomes, helping entities confidently make informed decisions. This high accuracy minimizes errors and ensures the trustworthy detection of substances.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Risco, MO: Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks. It enhances workplace safety by preventing substance use.
By maintaining strict compliance, employers can achieve peace of mind, knowing they are upholding a drug-free environment. This fosters a safe, law-abiding work setting.
