Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Merrimack, NH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of these substances by embedding indicators in the strands. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to around three months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, manipulation-resistant, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hairs, roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil, taken closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg, which is the perfect amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair specifically means scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory workflow encompasses four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s procedure. This phase includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any missing information not provided by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening offers a rapid assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use for most samples, confirmed results are necessary for legal acceptance. Samples that seem positive during Screening require further verification.

During the Extraction phase, if a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared. In this step, drugs are removed from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis the most challenging method to conduct.

All positive preliminary screening results are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives are cleaned as necessary before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus increasing the trustworthiness of results.
• Shows usage history: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests," the procedure actually examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Enhanced Detection: In East Merrimack, NH, hair follicle tests surpass urine tests in detecting a wider range of substances with greater reliability.
Better Accuracy: When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests, the former presents a more accurate assessment of long-term substance use, offering substantial benefits for employers and law enforcement.

Extended Detection Window

Comprehensive Surveillance: Hair follicle tests give East Merrimack, NH employers a broad view of potential employees or current staff’s drug use history.
Extended Monitoring: With detection windows up to 90 days, hair tests offer a much longer period of observation for substance use, valuable for consistent company policy enforcement.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Unmatched Integrity: In East Merrimack, NH, hair follicle testing ensures samples remain uncontaminated, offering reliable results free from tampering.
Secure Testing: Hair follicle tests are less susceptible to adulteration, maintaining the credibility of drug testing efforts by detecting sneaky attempts to cheat the system.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Extensive Reach: Accredited Drug Testing offers widespread facilities nationwide, including in East Merrimack, NH.
Local and Accessible: Residents in East Merrimack, NH benefit from easily accessible testing centers, facilitating quick and convenient testing without the hassle of long-distance travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless Testing: The process of arranging a hair follicle test in East Merrimack, NH is straightforward, from ordering to receiving results.
Maintained Privacy: Confidentiality is our priority, ensuring all clients’ privacy concerns are effectively addressed throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Rates: Hair follicle tests in East Merrimack, NH are offered at economical prices, providing great value regardless of company size.
Quick Turnaround: Enjoy swift processing times for tests, ensuring results arrive without delay, supporting timely decision-making for businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision in Testing: Hair follicle drug tests in East Merrimack, NH offer unmatched accuracy. These tests identify substances with high precision, providing confidence in the results.
Timely Results: Despite their thorough nature, hair follicle tests deliver fast outcomes. In East Merrimack, you can rely on quick processing times, ensuring you get the information you need promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance Assurance: Hair follicle tests align with drug-free workplace policies in East Merrimack, NH, helping companies avoid potential legal challenges.
Emphasizing Safety: By enforcing a zero-tolerance stance on substance use, employers improve workplace safety and maintain peace of mind.

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