Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term overview of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers in its fibers as the hair grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient for shipment.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The key stages in lab processing for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab's system, which entails ensuring the sample was sealed and transported appropriately, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary fast check for drug abuse, often serving as a cost-effective method for ruling out drug presence in most samples. However, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility, meaning any presumptive positive results from Screening must undergo further verification.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hairs are extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a far lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering it the most challenging drug testing methodology.
Confirmation follows for any positive results from Screening, utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the review of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," this test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over urine testing in Lodge Pole, MT. Primarily, it provides enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are commonly used, hair tests offer a more thorough assessment of substance use history, surpassing traditional methods in both scope and trustworthiness.
Employers in Lodge Pole, MT, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, which spans up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive snapshot of an individual's drug use history. This longer timeframe allows for a deeper insight into an applicant or employee’s substance trends.
The potential for sample adulteration is significantly reduced with hair follicle testing in Lodge Pole, MT. This method ensures a tamper-resistant collection process, delivering results that are both reliable and beyond question, safeguarding against common issues associated with other testing methods.
With convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Lodge Pole, MT, accessing hair follicle drug tests is hassle-free. Our widespread locations ensure that individuals and employers can quickly and easily obtain the necessary services without undue difficulty.
The process for hair follicle testing in Lodge Pole, MT, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving test results, the procedure respects privacy concerns, ensuring a user-friendly and secure experience for all involved.
We offer affordable pricing and swift turnaround times in Lodge Pole, MT, making hair follicle testing an excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our competitive rates and quick results delivery provide clients with both financial and organizational peace of mind.
In Lodge Pole, MT, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its fast, accurate, and reliable results. Unlike traditional methods, this procedure swiftly identifies substance usage, providing high precision. The localized centers ensure rapid testing, which is essential for timely decision-making.
In Lodge Pole, MT, utilizing hair follicle testing supports workplace compliance with drug-free policies, granting employers peace of mind. This approach mitigates legal risks, ensuring a safer workplace environment while enhancing adherence to policy standards.
