Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strand encapsulates biomarkers within its fibers as it grows, providing a lengthy timeline of alcohol and drug usage. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample, roughly equivalent to 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, add-on tests, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug tests encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase of integrating a sample into a lab's system, which encompasses steps like confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and completing any necessary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening is a preliminary examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an efficient approach for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive outcome on a screen must be verified to stand in court. Any sample that appears positive during Screening requires an additional confirmation step.
If a sample appears positive during the Screening, further hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Any positive Screening result is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples indicating positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the lab process is conducted adhering to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests due to its superior precision in drug detection in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a longer detection window, making it easier to track long-term substance use. The accuracy of hair testing lies in its ability to pinpoint drug use over weeks or months rather than days, providing a reliable assessment for employers and authorities looking to ensure a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing in Pompton Lakes, NJ, provides an extended detection window, reaching as far back as 90 days. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive perspective of an individual's drug history. By analyzing hair samples, employers can better understand the substance use patterns, ensuring that they have the correct information about their workforce or potential hires, beyond the limitations of standard urine testing.
The integrity of drug testing is preserved with hair follicle methods in Pompton Lakes, NJ. This testing significantly lessens the chances of sample tampering, offering indisputable and consistent outcomes. Hair tests are resistant to common adulteration techniques that often plague urine tests, thus assuring the stakeholders of the authenticity and reliability of the test results, which is crucial for maintaining drug-free standards.
Convenience is at the forefront with our nationwide testing locations, including Pompton Lakes, NJ. Our centers are strategically situated to provide quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services. This ensures that individuals and employers can easily find a nearby facility, saving time and effort, while benefiting from professional testing services without the inconvenience of traveling far distances.
In Pompton Lakes, NJ, our drug testing process is streamlined to be simple and confidential. From placing your order to receiving your results, we ensure privacy and ease of use. This process is designed to address privacy concerns effectively, allowing for a stress-free and straightforward testing experience, reinforcing our commitment to customer confidentiality and user-friendly services.
We offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Pompton Lakes, NJ, for our drug testing services. Our competitive pricing structures ensure accessibility to businesses of all sizes, while our quick result delivery offers peace of mind. By combining cost-effectiveness with efficiency, we provide exceptional value in drug testing, meeting business needs without compromising on quality or timeliness.
Achieving fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes is essential for drug testing in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Hair follicle tests are celebrated for their high precision and swiftness in detecting substance use, delivering dependable results quickly. This method is respected for consistently providing exact results, diminishing waiting times, and guaranteeing that the insights regarding substance use are trustworthy and practical for decision-making.
Employers in Pompton Lakes, NJ, find peace of mind and regulatory compliance with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing the safety of the work environment. By implementing hair testing, employers not only follow legal requirements but also commit to fostering a secure and productive workplace, free from the influences of substance misuse.
