Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) collected nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen properly. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair, while 'body hair' includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a drug test in a laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory’s records, which involves verifying sample sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use for most samples, any positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Presumptive positives found in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
When a sample tests preliminarily positive during Screening, further hair is retrieved from the initial sample for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than those found using other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered a challenging method.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are typically washed before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," this test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Harmony, NJ, hair follicle tests outshine urine testing by offering unparalleled accuracy and reliability. They ensure superior detection of drug use, making them the preferred choice.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing provides detailed insights into substance use, assuring employers of its efficacy.
Employers in Harmony, NJ, benefit from hair follicle tests' extended detection window of up to 90 days. These tests afford a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.
Covering a much more prolonged use period, hair tests provide thorough insights into users' habits, proving invaluable for informed decisions.
The robustness of hair follicle tests in Harmony, NJ, ensures minimized risk of tampering, delivering trustworthy outcomes that can't be easily altered.
This testing method enhances result integrity by significantly reducing the possibility of sample adulteration, offering peace of mind.
With convenient testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures seamless and quick access to services for Harmony, NJ residents.
National reach and local accessibility make testing hassle-free and efficient, catering to the needs of all clients.
Accredited Drug Testing in Harmony, NJ, provides a straightforward and private procedure for obtaining and reviewing test results, addressing privacy concerns.
The user-friendly process assures confidentiality, making it easy to navigate through ordering and receiving results.
Harmony, NJ, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, providing excellent value to companies of all sizes.
Fast and affordable, these tests offer peace of mind, ensuring businesses remain within budgetary constraints.
Hair follicle drug testing offers exceptional precision and speed, ideal for obtaining accurate results in Harmony, NJ. These tests quickly detect substance use, ensuring results reflect true substance history.
With high accuracy rates, hair follicle tests promptly identify drugs and alcohol, making them a reliable choice for thorough assessments.
Hair follicle tests in Harmony, NJ, guarantee compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thus reducing legal risks while ensuring safety standards.
Employers gain from hair testing's efficacy, promoting a secure workplace atmosphere and adhering to regulatory requirements.
