Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying substance use. The hair captures biomarkers within its strands, providing a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug usage. When sourced near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing roughly 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides the necessary 100mg for thorough screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional analyses, or those exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measurement. If scalp hair is not accessible, the equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The lab process of a drug test encompasses four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into the lab's system, ensuring it was sealed and shipped appropriately, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any pending data entry outside of an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial, cost-efficient assessment for drug presence, ruling out usage in the majority of samples. However, a positive screen must be corroborated for legal validity. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
For samples testing positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from the hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair analysis one of the most challenging techniques.
Positive results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples deemed potentially positive are cleansed as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT offers significant advantages over urine tests. Its superior detection accuracy and extended window make it ideal for uncovering substance patterns. Unlike traditional urine tests, which can miss drug use beyond a few days, hair analysis offers a broader picture, ensuring reliability and precision.
Offering an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT reveals substance use history for up to 90 days. This provides employers with a thorough overview of an individual's drug habits, enabling informed decisions. It's a valuable tool for maintaining a clear picture of an applicant’s or employee’s behavior.
Hair follicle tests in Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT are a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly minimizing sample adulteration risks. This ensures the results are trustworthy and difficult to manipulate. Adopting this method, organizations can rely on the authenticity of results, enhancing their decision-making process.
With both nationwide and local testing centers, including those in Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT, accessibility to drug testing services is convenient. This proximity ensures a quick, seamless testing process, reducing waiting times and logistical challenges, allowing individuals and businesses easy access.
In Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure respects privacy, ensuring ease for all participants. This straightforward approach alleviates concerns, offering a streamlined experience.
Our pricing in Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT is affordable, coupled with a fast turnaround for results. This competitive pricing structure offers tremendous value, making it an attractive option for businesses of any size seeking reliable drug testing services without compromising quality or speed.
In Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. Recognized for their precision, these tests quickly identify substance use, providing individuals and organizations with dependable outcomes. With advanced technology, accuracy is ensured, minimizing errors and offering significant assurance in results.
For employers in Upper Yellowstone Valley, MT, utilizing hair follicle tests can ensure compliance and peace of mind. By aligning with drug-free policies, these tests help minimize legal risks and promote a safer workplace environment, reinforcing the organization's commitment to safety and integrity.
