Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers capture biomarkers from alcohol and other substances as hair grows, offering a long-term record. Samples taken close to the scalp can reveal alcohol and drug presence for up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample containing roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal quantity for testing. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding ten, 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measurement is advisable. If scalp hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test outcome in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the sample's initial integration into the lab’s system. It involves ensuring the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not incorporated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a quick initial check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result needs confirmation to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples showing preliminary positive results in Screening require additional confirmation.
Should a sample test positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive results is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine testing in Dixon, NM? The reasons are aplenty.
Superior Detection accuracy makes hair tests a preferred choice when compared to traditional urine tests.
In Dixon, NM, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, allowing for the identification of drug use over periods up to 90 days.
Hair follicle tests conducted in Dixon, NM, showcase a tamper-resistant approach, surpassing traditional methods.
Our nationwide network of testing locations extends convenience to all, including those residing in Dixon, NM.
In Dixon, NM, our drug testing process promises simplicity and confidentiality.
Affordable pricing coupled with fast turnaround times defines our service in Dixon, NM.
In Dixon, NM, the speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests stand unrivaled. Their ability to quickly and precisely identify substance use ensures reliable results in a timely manner.
High Accuracy in detecting drugs makes hair testing an essential option for employers.
The process guarantees fast outcomes, allowing organizations to make informed decisions without lengthy delays, while maintaining high standards of testing.
Compliance with drug-free workplace policies becomes manageable through hair follicle testing in Dixon, NM.