Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When retrieved near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month window for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easily transportable.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. 'Head hair' pertains exclusively to scalp hair. 'Body hair' encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four core stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s system. This stage ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, positive results must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples yielding presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for further processing in Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.
The Confirmation stage for any positive screening outcome uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.
In Sand Coulee, MT, hair follicle testing is recognized for its superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. The extended detection window of hair tests allows for the identification of substances over a much longer time frame, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. This makes it a more reliable choice for employers and institutions.
Hair follicle testing in Sand Coulee, MT, offers a noteworthy detection period of up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe enables employers to gain a holistic understanding of an applicant's or employee's past substance use, stretching far beyond what shorter-term tests can provide, fostering informed decision-making.
Emphasizing its tamper-resistant nature, hair follicle testing significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration in Sand Coulee, MT. This method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, fostering confidence among employers and institutions relying on its outcomes for critical decisions.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations across the nation, including Sand Coulee, MT. Our extensive network ensures easy and timely access to drug testing services, facilitating a hassle-free experience for individuals requiring reliable tests across the states.
The process for hair follicle testing in Sand Coulee, MT, is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, the entire procedure is designed to ensure privacy and ease of use, alleviating concerns related to personal data security and test-taking convenience.
In Sand Coulee, MT, our hair follicle drug tests offer affordable pricing coupled with swift turnaround times. Providing exceptional value, we cater to companies of varying sizes, assuring cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or speed, ensuring peace of mind for all clients.
In Sand Coulee, MT, hair follicle drug tests are esteemed for their precision and rapidity. Such tests are characterized by their high accuracy in uncovering substance use, providing fast and trustworthy insights into an individual's substance consumption history. The inherent reliability of these tests ensures the result's integrity.
For employers in Sand Coulee, MT, hair follicle testing not only assures compliance with workplace drug-free policies but also mitigates legal risks. By integrating this method, organizations can bolster workplace safety and maintain a drug-free environment, providing peace of mind for all stakeholders involved.
