Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can provide a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drug presence. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipment is convenient.
A sample size of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, ideal for testing. For EtG, additional testing, or panels over 10, 150mg is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial sample integration into the lab's system. This step includes confirming the sample's securement and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing any outstanding data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive screen demands formal confirmation for courtroom admissibility. Presumptive positives from the Screening need secondary validation.
For samples with presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in methods like urine or oral fluids, making hair drug testing particularly complex.
Positive screening confirmations are done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" may be used, but it is the hair strand that is tested, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle and urine testing in Armington, MT, hair testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy and dependability. Traditional urine tests are less reliable over extended periods, whereas hair analyses offer unmatched precision over time. This makes hair tests the preferred choice for those seeking assurance in results and comprehensive substance use detection.
Hair follicle testing in Armington, MT, offers an extensive detection window of up to 90 days, granting employers a thorough overview of an individual’s drug use history. This prolonged period is crucial for evaluating an applicant or employee's past substance habits, offering insights that urine tests, limited in scope, cannot provide.
In Armington, MT, hair follicle tests significantly combat the issue of sample tampering. The inherent characteristics of hair testing ensure that results are reliable and difficult to falsify, providing accurate and unquestionable outcomes that stand up to scrutiny, thus ensuring integrity in drug testing processes.
Testing is made convenient in Armington, MT, with our widespread network of nationwide centers. Quick, simple access to thorough testing facilities eliminates any hassle, providing seamless engagement in the process. Locally available options simplify the process, ensuring you’re always within reach of quality testing services.
The hair follicle testing process in Armington, MT, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving your results, privacy and simplicity are prioritized. The ease with which one navigates this process alleviates privacy concerns, offering a user-friendly experience.
With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Armington, MT, offers excellent affordability. Companies of various scales benefit from the value provided, as quick, reliable service pairs with cost-effective solutions to meet drug testing needs efficiently.
In Armington, MT, the efficacy of hair follicle drug tests is demonstrated by their precision and rapid results. These methods detect substance use with remarkable accuracy. Reliable and prompt, hair testing offers a swift solution to screening needs, ensuring that results are delivered efficiently, providing both speed and trustworthiness in substance detection.
Employers in Armington, MT, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal liabilities, and boosting workplace safety. This comprehensive testing approach secures peace of mind by ensuring a drug-free environment leveraging a reliable and accurate testing methodology.
