Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the fibers of growing hair strands, hair provides a detailed, long-term history of drug activities. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can reveal drug and alcohol activities over a span of about three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment—comprising around 200 hair strands, roughly the dimension of a #2 pencil—nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, tests beyond 10 panels, and/or supplementary checks, around 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the hair using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair can't be sourced, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. When referencing head hair, it strictly implies scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other hair types such as facial or axillary.
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the lab framework. It involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and filling in any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Despite being a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most cases, a positive Screening result needs further validation for legal acceptance. Presumptively positive Screening results must undergo secondary confirmation.
For samples showing presumptive positive results at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the main sample for further preparation in the Extraction process. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those found in other methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result takes place using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives undergo washing prior to the confirmation process if necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
The superiority of hair follicle testing over urine tests in Stevensville, MT lies in its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a broader detection window and ensure more consistent results.
Employers and legal authorities who prioritize accuracy prefer hair tests due to their resilience to evasion tactics that frequently compromise urine tests.
Employers in Stevensville, MT, benefit from hair follicle tests' extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This feature gives a thorough overview of an individual’s substance history.
This extended window helps employers make informed decisions by understanding long-term patterns of drug use, essential for maintaining workplace integrity.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle tests in Stevensville, MT, is their tamper-resistant nature. These tests dramatically lessen the likelihood of sample adulteration.
The difficulty in manipulating hair samples makes this testing method a reliable choice for accurate and unquestionable results, ensuring integrity in drug detection.
Our network, including Stevensville, MT, ensures convenient testing locations nationwide. This accessibility allows for easy and efficient testing services without the hassle or delay.
The widespread availability of our centers ensures that individuals can access drug testing quickly, enabling persistent adherence to organizational testing requirements.
The hair follicle testing process in Stevensville, MT is simple and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving results, the process respects privacy while maintaining ease of use.
This straightforward approach reassures individuals concerned about their personal information, encouraging them to participate in a stress-free testing process.
In Stevensville, MT, we offer affordable pricing for hair follicle drug tests, accompanied by fast results. Our competitive rates ensure excellent value, serving companies of all sizes.
This balance of cost-efficiency and rapid turnaround empowers businesses to maintain drug-free environments without financial strain, providing peace of mind.
In Stevensville, MT, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are renowned for their precision in identifying substance use, surpassing other testing methods.
The swift processing of hair samples ensures that individuals and employers receive timely insights, critical for decision-making. With the ability to detect a wide array of substances, hair tests stand out in reliability.
Using hair follicle tests in Stevensville, MT provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. These tests help enforce workplace drug policies, minimizing legal challenges and enhancing safety.
Hair testing enables companies to adhere to their zero-tolerance policies by delivering reliable results, which are essential for a secure and lawful workplace environment.
