Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeframe of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing approximately 200 strands or about the diameter of a #2 pencil, taken nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both initial screening and follow-up confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to gather 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise weighing. If there is no scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of logging a sample into the laboratory's system. This process involves ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, giving it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplementary data not captured by an electronic chain of custody record.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result needs further verification to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening must be confirmed with a secondary test.
When a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and is made ready for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is conducted using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation when necessary. The entire sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing demonstrates the superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing over traditional urine tests. Hair follices trap drug metabolites for up to 90 days, offering a longer detection window, making them more dependable for verifying substance use history. Unlike urine tests, it's difficult to tamper with or manipulate hair test samples, enhancing their trustworthiness.
Extended Detection Window marks a distinct advantage of hair follicle drug testing in Barber, MT, as it uncovers drug use over a significantly longer period reaching up to 90 days. Employers benefit from gaining a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history, allowing for an informed decision-making process concerning hiring and maintaining workplace safety standards.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method effectively reduces risks related to sample adulteration, offering credible and unquestionable results in Barber, MT. The hair follicle test's design makes it challenging to alter the sample, safeguarding the integrity of the findings. This test is highly regarded for maintaining the authenticity of the testing process.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations showcase the broad availability of our testing centers in Barber, MT, ensuring quick and hassle-free access to testing services for all. This extensive network makes it straightforward to locate a nearby facility, providing maximum convenience for employers and individuals in need of seamless drug testing solutions.
Simple, Confidential Process underlines the straightforward and private nature of ordering, taking, and receiving results for hair follicle drug tests in Barber, MT. The process is designed to address concerns around ease of use and privacy, assuring clients that their information is secure while undergoing a seamless testing experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround illustrate our competitive pricing structures and swift result delivery in Barber, MT. We offer excellent value for companies of all sizes, ensuring that cost-effective drug testing solutions are accessible, fostering peace of mind with our efficient and budget-friendly services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results highlight the high precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Barber, MT. These assessments are renowned for their exceptional accuracy in identifying substance usage, ensuring trustworthy outcomes for clients. The swiftness of result delivery assists clients in making informed decisions without delay, supporting efficient and effective assessments.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers underscore the significance of utilizing hair follicle testing in Barber, MT, to maintain workplace drug-free policies compliance. Relying on these tests not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, instilling confidence among employers about their workforce's reliability and substance use status.
