Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term account of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers within the fiber of developing hair strands. Obtained near the scalp, hair offers a detection period that spans roughly up to three months for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to gather, difficult to tamper with, and facilitates easy transportation.
A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising around 200 strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for analysis and authentication. For EtG and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair exclusively denotes scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Procedure Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's database. This phase involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry that is not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid evaluation for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug presence in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a sample is determined to be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction preparation. Here, drugs are separated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle tests significantly surpass traditional urine tests in Twodot, MT. The advantages lie in their superior accuracy, prolonged detection period, and greater reliability. While urine tests may falter, hair tests provide a consistent assessment of substance use history, offering a more comprehensive analysis that employers increasingly rely upon.
Employers seeking insights into long-term substance use turn to hair follicle testing in Twodot, MT. Covering up to a 90-day window, this testing method offers a detailed look into an individual's drug use patterns over time. This extensive detection period ensures that employers receive a complete overview of a person's history, aiding in informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests in Twodot, MT provide a tamper-resistant method to ensure reliable, unquestionable results. The nature of the testing procedure makes it extremely difficult for individuals to alter the sample, therefore maintaining the integrity of the results. This rigorous approach helps in delivering outcomes that employers and authorities can trust without hesitation.
With a network of nationwide testing centers, our services in Twodot, MT are accessible for easy and swift testing. This expansive reach ensures that anyone can have hassle-free access to testing services, ensuring convenience and efficiency for clients who require prompt and reliable testing solutions.
In Twodot, MT, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, our streamlined process addresses privacy concerns while offering ease of use. This ensures that individuals can engage with the testing service confidently, knowing their information is protected throughout the process.
Offering competitive pricing structures, hair follicle tests in Twodot, MT provide both value and peace of mind. With fast turnaround times, companies of all sizes benefit from quick access to reliable results without significant financial burdens, maintaining a balance between cost-efficiency and high-quality service.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests set them apart, ensuring accurate results in Twodot, MT. This method excels in detecting the use of substances, providing a reliable outcome to both employers and individuals. The ability to quickly and accurately identify drug traces gives peace of mind, reinforcing trust in results without unnecessary delays.
For businesses in Twodot, MT, hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind to employers. The method minimizes legal risks by adhering to high standards of substance detection, enhancing safety and ensuring that companies can confidently uphold their commitment to a drug-free environment.