Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly being recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term history of alcohol and drug use. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. It's straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into the laboratory's system. This process ensures that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, grants a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any required data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening refers to an initial rapid examination for substances of abuse. While it is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples presumed positive during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
If a sample is considered positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn out from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents notable challenges.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dwight
Extended Detection Window of Hair Testing
Tamper-Resistant Testing Benefit
Convenient Nationwide Testing Centers
A Simple, Confidential Process
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing make it a top choice in Dwight, NE. Exceptional accuracy in substance detection puts it ahead, ensuring reliable results. Its quick turnaround is a critical advantage, providing assessments promptly and efficiently.
Why Hair Testing Excels
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers