Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. The hair strand encapsulates a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers inside its fibers. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional assays, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair may be used. References to head hair exclusively signify scalp hair. Body hair denotes any other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary registration of a sample into the lab's system. This step verifies the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening initiates an expedited check for drug substances. While it is a budget-friendly approach for eliminating most drug usage cases, a positive screen must be confirmed for court validity. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening mandate a subsequent confirmation.
When a sample indicates presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this process, drugs are derived from hair at significantly lower levels than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Any positive screening must undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire testing workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug analysis:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite being commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Superiority of Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Tests: In Hungry Horse, MT, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests by offering a comprehensive view of an individual's drug history. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests reveal longer histories, often up to 90 days, thus providing a more reliable long-term understanding of substance use patterns.
Hair tests prove more effective for employers concerned about continued drug use within their workforce. Their robust detection capabilities offer an unbiased and detailed report. Compared to urine tests, hair testing in Hungry Horse offers superior reliability and a broader window for identifying substance dependencies.
Extended Detection Window in Hair Testing: Unmatched in duration, hair follicle testing in Hungry Horse, MT, allows employers to detect drug use over three months. This extended detection period provides a way to view an individual's long-term substance use, proving essential for decisions based on consistent and reliable historical data.
Employers benefit from this comprehensive insight, understanding not just recent behavior but also ongoing patterns. These tests provide a broad retrospective view of an employee or applicant's drug behavior, offering transparency and enabling informed hiring and retention decisions.
Secure and Tamper-Resistant Hair Testing: For businesses in Hungry Horse, MT, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-proof solution to gauging employee substance use. As the risk of adulteration with urine tests persists, hair tests guarantee sample integrity, as cutting a segment of hair leaves no room for tampering.
This method redefines reliability, providing results that are both credible and unquestionable. With the inability to tamper with the sample during collection, hair testing proves itself an invaluable tool for employers needing certainty in their drug-testing processes.
Convenient Access with Nationwide and Local Locations: Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to hair testing centers in Hungry Horse, MT, and beyond. Our expansive network offers quick, hassle-free visits nationwide, giving clients the flexibility and convenience needed for seamless testing experiences.
With a local presence and comprehensive coverage, scheduling a test is simple and efficient. This ensures that individuals and businesses alike can leverage our services with minimal disruption to their regular activities, enhancing the overall experience.
Effortless and Confidential Testing Process: With a focus on simplicity in Hungry Horse, MT, Accredited Drug Testing guarantees a straightforward and private experience from order to result. Addressing concerns around privacy, the process remains discreet and user-friendly, safeguarding your peace of mind.
Ordering and receiving results are made easy with a streamlined approach that values confidentiality. This ensures sample handling and data are managed securely, providing clients with a stress-free and protective environment at all stages of the process.
Value through Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround: Offering competitive pricing and swift results, hair follicle testing in Hungry Horse, MT, becomes an economical choice. Businesses, regardless of size, can take advantage of excellent value through affordable rates without compromising on the speed or quality of results.
This cost-effective method ensures that companies receive top-quality testing without straining budgets. The fast turnaround further emphasizes value, providing crucial data when needed, sustaining operational flow and legal compliance without delay.
Fast and Reliable Testing in Hungry Horse, MT: Hair follicle drug testing stands out as a speedy and precise option. Instantly addressing substance concerns, these tests offer high accuracy in detecting drug use, ensuring employers in Hungry Horse can make well-informed decisions swiftly. Timely results are vital, and hair testing delivers with exceptional precision.
Precision is key in substance detection, and hair tests excel in this area. Unlike other methods, they provide a clear, accurate analysis of substance use history. The quick processing time ensures that companies in Hungry Horse receive reliable data promptly, supporting their commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Embracing hair follicle testing in Hungry Horse, MT, ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing worker safety, employers can rest assured that their work environment abides by regulations and upholds industry standards.
Hair testing strengthens a company's commitment to a drug-free workplace, mitigating legal exposure and fostering a secure working environment. It assures stakeholders of compliance while providing a safer, more trustworthy workplace for everyone involved.
