Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations have emerged as an effective means for detecting drugs and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers within its growing fibers. When collected near the roots, hair might present up to around a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing around 200 strands of hair (similar to a #2 pencil in size) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample size for testing and validation. For EtG, extra screens, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advised to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If head hair isn't accessible, a similar amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers to scalp hair exclusively. "Body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the processing of a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This consists of checking that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes a preliminarily swift check for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be validated to be acceptable in court. Any samples with presumptive positive results during Screening require further confirmation.
If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is obtained from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Verification of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to Confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed 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: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the test itself assesses the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Griggstown, NJ, hair follicle testing is increasingly favored over traditional urine testing. This modern method offers superior accuracy and reliability, surpassing urine tests in multiple aspects.
Key Benefits:
Employers in Griggstown, NJ can gain a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history with hair follicle testing. This method detects drug usage over 90 days, providing a detailed account.
Why It Matters:
Utilizing hair follicle tests in Griggstown, NJ helps minimize the risk of sample tampering. This testing method provides robust, dependable results that stand up to scrutiny.
Key Advantages:
Accessing drug testing services is seamless with local and nationwide centers in Griggstown, NJ. Enjoy the ease of quick and convenient testing locations.
Convenience Benefits:
The hair follicle testing process in Griggstown, NJ is both simple and private, ensuring users' confidentiality throughout.
Simplified Process:
Griggstown, NJ enjoys competitive pricing and rapid processing of hair follicle tests, offering excellent value for businesses.
Cost-Effective Solutions:
Griggstown, NJ benefits from the swift and trustworthy results of hair follicle drug tests. These tests offer unparalleled precision, efficiently identifying substance use. The speed and reliability of hair tests make them an excellent choice for anyone seeking accurate assessment.
Advantages:
Employers in Griggstown, NJ benefit from hair follicle testing due to enhanced compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing bolsters safety and reduces legal exposure.
Employer Benefits:
