Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft, hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use. When harvested close to the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug presence up to approximately three months back. It is straightforward to gather, tough to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, enhanced tests, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not an option, a comparable quantity of body hair might be acquired. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary incorporation of a specimen into a lab's system. It entails verifying if the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most specimens, a positive screen must be verified to be considered valid in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than those in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening poses the greatest methodological challenge.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive specimens are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the analysis specifically examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
When it comes to identifying past substance use, hair follicle testing holds a notable edge over traditional urine testing in Asbury, NJ. Hair testing's ability to trace drug residues far exceeds urine tests, offering an impressive 90-day detection period. Not only does this provide employers a more thorough understanding of an individual's drug history, but it also greatly enhances detection accuracy and reliability compared to short-window urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Asbury, NJ, offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. This duration provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history, far exceeding the scope of urine tests. By measuring metabolites trapped in the hair shaft, employers can assess an employee's or applicant's long-term behavior, making it a valuable tool in maintaining a drug-free workplace.
When testing integrity is a priority, hair follicle tests in Asbury, NJ, significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, which are vulnerable to adulteration, hair tests are tamper-resistant, requiring the direct collection of hair samples, which cannot easily be substituted or manipulated. This assurance provides reliable, accurate, and unquestionable results crucial for employers and legal entities.
In Asbury, NJ, and beyond, our network of convenient nationwide testing locations ensures efficient access to hair follicle testing services. Local centers provide quick, hassle-free testing appointments while serving as part of an extensive national network. This reach ensures individuals and employers can seamlessly access the services they need, enjoying the convenience of both local and well-coordinated nationwide solutions.
Our hair follicle testing process in Asbury, NJ, is simple and confidential, tailored to ensure ease and privacy. Ordering a test is straightforward, with discreet sample collection and secure delivery of results. This streamlined process respects client confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns and providing a seamless experience from start to finish, thereby ensuring user assurance and trust in the testing procedure.
In Asbury, NJ, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, delivering exceptional value. Competitive pricing structures make our tests accessible to organizations of all sizes, while our quick processing ensures timely results. This combination of cost-effectiveness and efficiency supports companies in their commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace without financial strain.
In Asbury, NJ, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. With precision that surpasses traditional methods, hair testing reliably detects substances within a 90-day window, offering superior accuracy. Clients benefit from quick results that reduce waiting times, while employers can rely on the precise testing outcomes to make informed decisions about potential hires or ongoing employee evaluations.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Asbury, NJ, helps employers achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies, fostering a safer environment. By utilizing this method, businesses can minimize legal risks associated with non-compliance and enhance overall work safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their practices align with industry standards, while safeguarding their operations and workforce.
