Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Considering hair testing as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption has gained traction. Hair serves as a chronicling agent for alcohol and drug use, capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly three-month period of alcohol and drug presence. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.
A 1.5-inch length of about 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to use 150mg of the specimen. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. In regards to head hair, this implies scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary phases in the laboratory handling of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system, involving the verification of appropriate sealing and shipping of the sample, assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completion of any further data input not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening represents an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to dismiss drug usage for most samples, but a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples that indicate a positive result in Screening demand an additional confirmation step.
For samples suspected as positive in the Screening process, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this stage, substances are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), reinforcing why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive Screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as required. Every laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing notably surpasses urine testing in Andover, NJ. Its benefits include superior detection accuracy and heightened reliability. Hair testing is preferred for its extended detection window and reduced chances of deception, making it more dependable for various forms of evaluations.
The long-term detection ability of hair follicle testing in Andover, NJ is unmatched. It allows employers to assess substance use over a period of up to 90 days, offering a thorough view of an individual's habits, and thus empowers more informed employment decisions.
Utilizing hair follicle tests in Andover, NJ effectively minimizes the likelihood of sample tampering. This testing on hair strands ensures that results are credible, trustworthy, ensuring integrity in the drug testing process.
In Andover, NJ, our testing centers are conveniently located nationwide. Accessing drug testing services is straightforward and stress-free, ensuring that individuals within any geographical area can easily schedule and complete their evaluations without hassle.
Our straightforward and confidential testing process in Andover, NJ prioritizes user experience. From ordering to receiving results, privacy is respected, ensuring individuals can feel secure about engaging in the testing procedure.
Our drug testing services in Andover, NJ are competitively priced, with a rapid turnaround. We provide value for companies of all sizes, guaranteeing effective pricing strategies that do not compromise the quality and speed of service delivery.
In Andover, NJ, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. They offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use, providing fast and reliable outcomes. These tests ensure that individuals seeking employment or enduring evaluations are smoothly and efficiently processed.
Employers in Andover, NJ find comfort in employing hair follicle testing to comply with drug-free workplace policies. This test reduces legal liabilities and promotes a safer work environment, offering peace of mind to those in charge of organizational safety.