Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. It offers a prolonged history of drug and alcohol consumption by capturing biomarkers in the hair fiber as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use up to an estimated three-month period. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches in length and comprising about 200 hairs (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation procedures. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be used, a similar volume of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, only scalp hair is considered. Body hair encompasses all other hair, such as facial and axillary.
Process Summary
The laboratory process for a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system, including ensuring the sample is properly sealed and transported, issuing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective for negating drug use in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Any screenings with presumptive positives necessitate further confirmation.
If a screening reveals a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. This step isolates drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug testing.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is employed to validate any positive screening outcomes. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing, as warranted, prior to confirmation. The complete laboratory workflow, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: While termed "hair follicle tests", the test is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When it comes to understanding why hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing, Flora Vista, NM residents need to consider several factors.
One of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing in Flora Vista, NM, is its extended detection window.
Hair follicle testing in Flora Vista, NM is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature.
Convenience is key in Flora Vista, NM, with our comprehensive testing network.
The process of hair follicle testing in Flora Vista, NM is both simple and confidential.
In Flora Vista, NM, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround.
In Flora Vista, NM, the benefits of hair follicle drug testing are evident.
Employers in Flora Vista, NM can achieve greater compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing.