Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term log of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When clipped near the scalp, the hair can demonstrate a detection window of up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch snippet of about 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplements, and/or tests involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of the hair specimen is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advised. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing procedure in a lab consists of four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the intial sample processing within a laboratory's system. This encompasses confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and transported, assigning a random Lab Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing additional data entry tasks not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid evaluation for abusive substances. While Screening is a cost-effective tactic to rule out drug use for most samples, legal admissibility requires that a positive screen be confirmed. Any samples indicating potential usage during Screening demand subsequent confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives in the Screening phase, excess hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. This phase involves deriving drugs from hair at a considerably reduced concentration than other analyses (e.g., urine or salivary fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to carry out.
Any confirmed positive results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as presumptively positive are cleansed pre-confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In White Sulphur Springs, MT, hair follicle testing offers superior benefits over traditional urine tests. These tests provide more accurate results with a longer detection window, ensuring a reliable assessment of substance use for employers and regulatory entities.
Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in White Sulphur Springs, MT, captures drug usage history over a protracted period, up to 90 days. This capability allows employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use patterns, offering a comprehensive evaluation.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
The hair follicle drug tests reduce the potential for sample tampering, providing a trustworthy result. In White Sulphur Springs, MT, this method advances accuracy and integrity in detecting substance use, making it a preferred choice for entities ensuring compliance.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
In White Sulphur Springs, MT, Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access to testing services with locations across the nation. Our network ensures hassle-free, quick, and accessible drug testing services wherever needed.
Simple, Confidential Process
Ensuring privacy and simplicity, the hair follicle testing process in White Sulphur Springs, MT, involves straightforward steps for ordering, taking, and receiving results. This process prioritizes user confidentiality and ease.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
The competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times of hair follicle testing in White Sulphur Springs, MT, present a valuable option for businesses of varied sizes, promising cost-effective solutions and prompt service delivery.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
The precision of hair follicle drug tests ensures swift and exact results in White Sulphur Springs, MT. Known for their high accuracy levels, these tests adeptly identify substance use patterns, enhancing decision-making processes for employers and individuals alike.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle testing in White Sulphur Springs, MT, supports maintaining drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only reduces legal risks but also boosts workplace safety, offering employers a reassurance of thorough compliance.
