Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers within the fibers as they grow, offering a prolonged record of alcohol and drug consumption. When cut near the scalp, such hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, presents challenges to tampering, and is convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's essential to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, a corresponding quantity of body hair is an alternative. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The prevalent stages in laboratory handling of drug test samples involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's framework. This stage includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes a preliminary assessment for drugs. While being cost-effective for identifying drug absence in most samples, any positive screen results require confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples with presumptive positive results from Screening proceed to a secondary confirmation.
For presumptively positive samples during Screening, additional hair from the original specimen is prepared for Extraction. Here, drug extraction from hair occurs at a much lower concentration than in other testing forms (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive Screening results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples labeled presumptively positive are washed prior to confirmation as deemed necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is reviewed in compliance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," these tests analyze the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine testing in Twin Bridges, MT? Hair tests offer a superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing detects substance use over a longer duration, providing a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use patterns, making it a more reliable choice for drug testing.
In Twin Bridges, MT, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This lengthy detection period allows employers to gain a comprehensive insight into an applicant's or employee's substance history, ensuring holistic evaluations that urine tests cannot provide due to their shorter detection periods.
Hair follicle tests in Twin Bridges, MT, are a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly lowering the chances of sample adulteration. The cutting-edge methodology behind hair tests ensures reliable and unquestionably accurate results, securing trust and peace of mind for all stakeholders involved in drug testing.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations along with local centers in Twin Bridges, MT. This extensive network ensures that individuals and organizations can access testing services quickly and with ease, making the process hassle-free and efficient for all.
Our process in Twin Bridges, MT, is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results are straightforward steps that respect clients' privacy, ensuring concerns about confidentiality are addressed effectively, making the drug testing experience seamless and user-friendly.
We offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Twin Bridges, MT, ensuring value and peace of mind for companies. Our competitive pricing structures make hair follicle testing accessible to businesses of all sizes, catering to diverse needs with efficiency and reliability.
In Twin Bridges, MT, hair follicle drug tests excel in speed and precision. They provide highly accurate detection of substance use, ensuring reliable results that stakeholders trust. The rapid testing process is a testament to their efficiency, making them a preferred choice for those needing quick and dependable results in substance detection.
Employers in Twin Bridges, MT, find peace of mind using hair follicle tests to ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method not only helps in reducing legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, fostering a secure and productive environment for everyone involved.
