Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is highly regarded as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. The hair provides a comprehensive history of substances by embedding biomarkers within its growing strands. Hair samples cut close to the scalp offer nearly a 3-month detection period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and ensures easy transportation.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands, equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil, near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair—the optimal amount for preliminary and confirmatory testing. For tests such as EtG, supplementary options, or over 10-panel analyses, 150mg is preferable. A jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing. If there’s no scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically indicates scalp hair; body hair includes all other categories (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The key procedures in processing a drug test outcome in a lab comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab system. This process verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry that the electronic chain of custody might not cover.
Screening entails an initial, efficient assessment for substances. Though Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug presence in most samples, a positive result needs verification for legal admissibility. Specimens that are indicative of positivity in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample indicate positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair from the original collection is used for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology.
Confirming any positive results from Screening is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive specimens undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation meets both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) guidelines for Hair and is accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as “hair follicle tests,†the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Demarest, NJ, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests through its superior detection capabilities. Hair testing offers a more reliable identification method, detecting substances with increased accuracy and ensuring a stringent review of substance use over an extended time. These advantages position hair testing as a superior choice for thorough and credible results.
Employers in Demarest, NJ benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. This method can identify drug use spanning back 90 days, providing a comprehensive history of an individual's substance use. Such extensive insight enhances the decision-making process by offering a full spectrum view on applicants or employees.
Known for its tamper-resistant features, hair follicle testing in Demarest, NJ, minimizes the potential for sample manipulation. This ensures that the collected data is both reliable and indisputable, thereby building confidence in the testing process and supporting integrity across all results received from drug usage screenings.
The convenience of having numerous testing centers accessible nationwide makes hair follicle testing in Demarest, NJ almost effortless. This extensive network ensures fast and easy access to testing services, all while accommodating the specific scheduling needs of clients, ensuring that testing becomes a simple yet efficient process for everyone involved.
In Demarest, NJ, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and obtaining results, the procedures emphasize privacy and convenience, ensuring that participants feel comfortable and assured throughout their testing journey.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Demarest, NJ, provides substantial value. Regardless of the company's size, affordable options coupled with prompt results ensure businesses can rely on the process for maintaining a healthy and compliant work environment effectively and economically.
Hair follicle drug tests in Demarest, NJ, offer unmatched precision and speed in delivering results. They boast a high level of accuracy when it comes to detecting substance use, significantly reducing the chances of error. This ensures that stakeholders receive reliable information swiftly, supporting timely decision-making and maintaining a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing in Demarest, NJ ensures compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind for employers. By mitigating legal risks and boosting safety, businesses cultivate a healthier workplace atmosphere. This bolsters the reliability of processes while minimizing operational disruptions stemming from substance misuse.
