Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests are recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strand's fibers as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can show substance use over an approximate 3-month span. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easily transportable.
A sample of 1.5 inches, roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the specimen was appropriately sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executes any supplementary data input not included by an automated chain of custody system.
Screening acts as an initial rapid test for substances of abuse. While it is cost-efficient for excluding drugs in most specimens, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.
In instances where a specimen tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the main sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at more minute concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo a cleansing process if necessary. The full laboratory sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though often dubbed "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sparta, NJ
Hair testing far surpasses urine tests in accuracy and reliability. The detection window extends up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a much shorter period. Moreover, hair tests are nearly impossible to falsify, giving a trustworthy reflection of substance use, a feature paramount to employers in Sparta, NJ.
Extended Detection Window in Sparta, NJ
With hair follicle testing, drug use can be identified over a span of up to 90 days. This extended detection period allows employers in Sparta, NJ, to gain a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee’s history with substances, promoting informed hiring and management decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sparta, NJ
The methodology behind hair follicle drug testing inherently reduces the opportunity for tampering, ensuring the integrity of results. In Sparta, NJ, these tests provide an undeniable level of reliability, safeguarding against sample adulteration and ensuring accurate representations of substance use.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sparta, NJ
Our expansive network of testing centers across the nation, including Sparta, NJ, ensures that access to hair follicle testing is simple and straightforward. Offering convenience, our locations facilitate easy and efficient sample collection for any individual or company in need of this essential service.
Simple, Confidential Process in Sparta, NJ
The process of ordering, performing, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is streamlined and private. In Sparta, NJ, our testing service respects your privacy while ensuring efficiency, addressing any concerns about the complexity and confidentiality of drug testing procedures.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sparta, NJ
In Sparta, NJ, we offer competitive pricing and quick result delivery for hair follicle drug tests, catering to the needs of organizations of all sizes. Our service provides excellent value, marrying cost-effectiveness with the reassurance of fast and reliable results.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sparta, NJ
Hair follicle drug tests provide swift and precise results, ensuring high accuracy in detecting drug or alcohol use. In Sparta, NJ, our testing facilities offer detailed and timely assessments of substance use, giving employers and individuals a reliable measure of compliance with drug-free standards.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sparta, NJ
Employers in Sparta, NJ, benefit from implementing hair follicle testing as it supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. The peace of mind gained from reduced legal risk and enhanced safety demonstrates the value of this testing method in maintaining a compliant and secure working environment.
