Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analyses have emerged as a robust technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and narcotics by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sourced close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of about three months for alcohol and other substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A small sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for assessment and verification. For EtG evaluations, add-ons, or tests exceeding ten panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In the event scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types like facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's framework. This step involves ensuring that the sample is sealed and dispatched properly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be validated to be acceptable in a court setting. Samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation process.
For samples flagged as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at a considerably reduced concentration compared to other techniques like urine or oral fluid, which explains why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive Screening results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Artesia, NM, the superior detection accuracy of hair tests becomes apparent. Unlike urine tests, hair analyses can trace substance use over a more extended period, providing a broader scope of detection.
Hair testing also offers a greater reliability factor, ensuring that the results remain consistent and accurate across different testing scenarios, whereas urine tests are limited by shorter detection windows.
Hair follicle testing in Artesia, NM, provides a substantial edge with its extended detection window, tracking substance use for up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a detailed view of an individual's substance history, essential for making informed decisions in hiring or continued employment.
Compared to other methods, this longer detection period ensures a thorough assessment of an applicant or employee's past behavior, promoting a safer workplace environment.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Artesia, NM, significantly curtails the possibilities of sample adulteration, ensuring highly reliable and indisputable results. This method stands out for its capacity to maintain the integrity of the testing process throughout.
Hair follicle testing's robustness ensures that attempts at cheating or sample manipulation are negligible, offering a transparent and secure testing experience.
Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network of testing centers, including those in Artesia, NM, renders drug testing convenient and accessible. Whether local or nationwide, our locations ensure quick and hassle-free access to the testing services you need.
The ability to conduct tests easily across different locales simplifies the process for employers and individuals alike, streamlining the overall testing experience.
In Artesia, NM, the straightforward and confidential approach to hair follicle drug testing ensures a seamless process from order to results. Emphasizing privacy, clients can feel secure that their personal information is handled discreetly.
This ease of use enhances the testing experience, addressing any concerns regarding the complexity or invasiveness of the process, making it an attractive option for many.
Accredited Drug Testing in Artesia, NM, offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle testing, ensuring exceptional value for companies of all sizes. Our commitment to affordability doesn't compromise quality, ensuring reliable results promptly.
This balance of cost and efficiency provides peace of mind, knowing that comprehensive and swift testing is within reach without financial strain.
In Artesia, NM, hair follicle drug tests provide a remarkable blend of speed and precision, delivering reliable results quickly. These tests excel at identifying substance use with impressive accuracy, which is crucial for timely decision-making in various settings.
The reliability of hair follicle tests stems from their comprehensive detection capabilities, ensuring that substance use is identified accurately. This consistency in results has made them a preferred option for employers and legal systems alike.
For employers in Artesia, NM, utilizing hair follicle testing fosters compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and bolstering safety.
The reliability of these tests in upholding workplace standards provides peace of mind, reassuring employers that their efforts in maintaining a drug-free environment are effective and legally sound, enhancing overall workplace security.
