Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the strands of the growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, the hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, an optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. It is advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be insufficient, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair alone. Conversely, "body hair" encompasses all other categories of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process of generating a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the first phase of inputting a sample into the lab’s system. It involves validating that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for potential drug use. Though Screening is an economical method to negate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that screen positive presumptively require an additional confirmation.
If a sample tests positive at the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Positive results from the screening stage are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives undergo a wash before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory review from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the auspices of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the subdermal hair follicle.
Hair follicle testing is increasingly favored over urine tests in Rapelje, MT due to its superior detection capabilities. While urine tests provide limited detection and are prone to manipulation, hair tests offer accurate and reliable insights into long-term substance use, making them a preferred option for stringent screening processes.
In Rapelje, MT, hair follicle testing is a preferred method due to its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug presence for up to 90 days, it provides employers a deeper understanding of an individual's substance history, thus supporting informed decision-making for hires and ongoing evaluations.
Hair follicle tests are lauded in Rapelje, MT for their resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples present a low risk of adulteration. This integrity ensures that results remain unquestionable, upholding reliability and strengthening trust in the drug testing process.
With both local and extensive nationwide testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility in Rapelje, MT. The convenience of readily available locations allows for swift and uncomplicated testing processes, accommodating clients with efficiency and ease across the country.
The drug testing process in Rapelje, MT is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is streamlined to address privacy concerns, making the entire procedure user-friendly, ensuring comfort and discretion for all participants involved.
Accredited Drug Testing in Rapelje, MT offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. These benefits provide businesses of all sizes with exceptional value, allowing for cost-effective drug testing solutions that do not compromise on speed or reliability.
The high accuracy and speed of hair follicle testing in Rapelje, MT make it a superior choice. These tests are meticulously designed to detect substance use with precision, providing fast and reliable results. This accuracy ensures that employers and individuals receive trusted evaluations, offering peace of mind with every test conducted.
For employers in Rapelje, MT, hair follicle testing signifies compliance and peace of mind. By aligning with drug-free workplace policies, employers can mitigate legal risks and foster a safer, more productive work environment, underpinned by reliable testing results.
