Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft, hair offers a historical record of alcohol and other drug use over an extended period. When obtained near the scalp, a hair sample can indicate alcohol and drug presence over an approximate duration of three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests exceeding ten panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent volume of body hair can be obtained. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary handling of a specimen within a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening offers a financially efficient method to exclude drug usage for most specimens, any positive screen requires confirmation for judicial admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive results during Screening demand secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive outcome at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. At this juncture, substances are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening the most challenging approach to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair testing over conventional urine testing in Forked River, NJ offers multiple advantages. Hair tests deliver exceptional detection precision, capturing substance traces that urine tests might miss.
The superior reliability and accuracy of hair testing enhance its favorability, providing stakeholders in testing scenarios confidence in the findings.
In Forked River, NJ, hair follicle testing excels with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period captures a comprehensive timeline of drug use.
This allows employers greater insight into an individual’s longer-term substance history, proving invaluable for informed hiring and retention decisions.
Forked River, NJ benefits from hair follicle testing’s tamper-resistant nature. The testing method minimizes risks of sample adulteration, ensuring test integrity.
This resistance to manipulation results in reliable outcomes, making it a favored choice for employers and authorities seeking trustworthy results.
Our network in Forked River, NJ and beyond offers convenient access to hair testing services. With numerous nationwide centers, obtaining tests is straightforward and hassle-free.
This wide availability ensures fast service, catering to varied testing needs with efficiency and convenience.
In Forked River, NJ, our simple, confidential process guarantees smooth hair testing from ordering to result delivery.
Privacy is respected throughout, with each step designed for ease, enhancing user confidence in both process simplicity and discretion.
Offering affordable pricing and speedy results in Forked River, NJ, our hair testing services are tailored for businesses of all sizes.
Competitive rates and rapid turnaround times provide excellent value, supporting companies in maintaining their anti-drug programs efficiently.
In Forked River, NJ, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with speed and accuracy. They offer precision in identifying substance use, ensuring rapid and dependable results.
With high sensitivity, hair tests detect a broader range of substances more effectively than other methods, providing fast, reliable answers critical for any testing process.
Employers in Forked River, NJ find peace of mind with hair testing. It strengthens compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
The practice reduces legal liabilities and promotes a safer working environment, aligning with corporate responsibility and safety standards.