Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a powerful means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. This method offers a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to approximately 90 days for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (akin to the size of a number 2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which serves as the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result involves four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's workflow. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an expedited preliminary check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for courtroom admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle embedded in the scalp
Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine tests in East Missoula, MT? Superior detection is key. Hair tests provide a longer detection window than urine tests, capturing drug use over a more extended period. This prolonged detection capability ensures that past substance use is accurately identified, providing a reliable picture of a person’s history and commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
In East Missoula, MT, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeframe allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history. As a result, hair follicle tests are instrumental in assessing an applicant or employee's past behavior, making them an invaluable tool for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Hair follicle tests in East Missoula, MT, offer a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. The nature of hair samples ensures that they are less susceptible to adulteration compared to other types of drug tests. This provides individuals and employers with reliable results that are unquestionably trustworthy, minimizing false negatives or other manipulation tactics.
Testing in East Missoula, MT is made convenient through our nationwide network of centers. This extensive coverage assures quick, easy, and hassle-free access to our services, wherever needed. Locally and beyond, our facilities ensure that individuals and businesses can swiftly access dependable testing solutions without unnecessary delays.
In East Missoula, MT, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From the initial order to the test and retrieval of results, each step is designed to prioritize the privacy and ease of the user. This streamlined procedure alleviates concerns about personal data security while delivering reliable outcomes efficiently.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in East Missoula, MT ensures excellent value for businesses of all scales. Competitive pricing models mean that high-quality testing is accessible to more companies, providing them with the assurance they seek at cost-effective rates, without sacrificing on speed or accuracy.
In East Missoula, MT, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests provide a high level of precision in detecting a range of substances, ensuring that the findings are trustworthy and effective for screening purposes. With quick processing times, the efficiency of hair tests makes them a preferred choice for individuals and organizations alike.
For employers in East Missoula, MT, hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind. By integrating this method into their policies, companies can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace standards. This reduces legal risks and bolsters a safe working environment by leveraging the comprehensive and non-invasive nature of hair follicle tests.
