Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has evolved into a significant method for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair serves as a repository for alcohol and drug history by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected from near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair is defined as all other hair types including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary handling of a sample in a lab's system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data input not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. Despite being an economical method to exclude drug usage in most cases, a positive result from this step requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that appear positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the preliminary sample for the Extraction phase. In this stage, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations than with other methods like urine or oral fluid, explaining why hair drug testing is a challenging methodology.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with preliminary positive results are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests with conventional urine tests in Pine Nut, NV, hair testing stands out due to superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair tests offer a broader timeframe, thereby revealing a more extensive history of substance use. This makes hair testing a compelling choice for employers enforcing strict drug-free policies.
Hair follicle testing in Pine Nut, NV, offers an extensive detection window, capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This extended timeframe allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history, which is particularly beneficial during pre-employment screenings or periodic evaluations of current employees.
The risk of sample adulteration is significantly diminished with hair follicle testing methods in Pine Nut, NV. Hair tests are difficult to alter or cheat, thus providing results that are both reliable and credible. This tamper-resistant feature ensures that the outcomes of the tests are trustworthy, offering a higher degree of assurance in the testing process.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing facilities, inclusive of local sites in Pine Nut, NV. This widespread availability ensures access to quick, easy, and hassle-free testing services, enabling individuals and businesses to meet their drug testing needs with minimal inconvenience.
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle testing in Pine Nut, NV, is both straightforward and confidential. This simplicity ensures user-friendliness, addressing privacy concerns and making the experience effortless for all participants involved, while protecting their personal information.
Accredited Drug Testing in Pine Nut, NV, boasts competitive pricing with rapid turnaround times, offering remarkable value for businesses of any size. This affordability, paired with swift result delivery, ensures that companies can maintain compliance and peace of mind without compromising their budgets.
The agility and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Pine Nut, NV, make it the preferred choice for detecting substance use. The process ensures that results are fast, accurate, and reliable, providing peace of mind to employers and professionals. This high level of accuracy in substance detection sets hair follicle testing apart from other methods.
Utilizing hair follicle testing services in Pine Nut, NV, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, affording employers peace of mind. These tests not only lower legal risks but also enhance overall workplace safety. The comprehensive detection capabilities strengthen employers’ confidence in maintaining a drug-free environment.
