Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Newmarket, NH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by securing biomarkers within the growing hair strand fibers. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month period for drug and alcohol detection. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hairs (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for court acceptability. Samples that test positive in Screening require a further confirmation stage.

If a specimen shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is thoroughly reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection window.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
• Historical usage data: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, not only recent involvement.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent intake: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually assesses the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Newmarket, NH, hair testing emerges superior. The benefits of hair testing include unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. Hair follicle tests offer a much longer detection period, often proving more reliable and difficult to manipulate than urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Newmarket, NH, is noteworthy. This method can identify drug use stretching over a 90-day period, providing employers a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history, ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Newmarket, NH, is a tamper-resistant method that greatly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration. The inherent design of this testing process guarantees that results are reliable and beyond reproach, ensuring a trustworthy testing environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of our testing services with nationwide and local locations in Newmarket, NH. Our centers are strategically placed to provide quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing, ensuring a seamless experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Newmarket, NH, is simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the entire process prioritizes privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and user-friendliness.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We emphasize affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing in Newmarket, NH. Our competitive pricing and quick results delivery offer excellent value, providing peace of mind to companies of all sizes concerned with cost-efficiency and timely services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Newmarket, NH, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures high accuracy in detecting substance use. The speed with which these tests are conducted and results delivered make them a preferred choice for those needing reliable drug testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Newmarket, NH, hair follicle testing supports compliance and peace of mind by reinforcing drug-free policies. This method minimizes legal risks and promotes a safer workplace, aligning with organizations' safety and compliance requirements.

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