Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft, hair offers an extended retrospective view of alcohol and drug usage. Sampling hair near the scalp can reveal substance use over roughly 90 days. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair shafts (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is considered the optimal sample for initial and confirmatory testing. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and/or more than 10-panel assessments, a sample size of 150mg is advised. It’s advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample weight. If head hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. It’s important to note that "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four crucial phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory system, ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and recording any data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening refers to an initial rapid analysis for commonly abused drugs. Although Screening offers a cost-effective means of excluding drug use for most samples, any positive results in Screening require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples yielding presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
If a sample indicates a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During this phase, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques to execute.
Confirmation of any preliminary positive screening comes through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples yielding presumptive positive findings are cleaned before confirmation, as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes examination under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the underground hair follicle.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing presents several advantages. The reliability and accuracy of hair tests in detecting substance abuse is unmatched, providing superior detention capabilities. Unlike urine testing, which can only identify recent consumption, hair analysis expands the detection window by identifying drug use in larger timelines, offering results that are both more accurate and reliable in Amity, NY.
Hair follicle testing in Amity, NY, provides an extensive detection window lasting up to 90 days. This prolonged detection gives a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. Where urine tests fall short in detecting past drug use, hair testing excels by revealing a more extended timeline of potential substance consumption, an advantage particularly useful for employers or authorities seeking in-depth insights into an individual's habits.
Hair follicle tests in Amity, NY, reduce the risk of tampering, providing uncompromising reliability. Urine samples may be altered easily, but hair samples, collected through a supervised process, present nearly no room for adulteration or substitution. This integrity in sample collection ensures results are genuine and trustworthy, vital for employers, authorities, or any entities relying on the integrity of test outcomes.
Our presence in Amity, NY, is complemented by a widespread network of testing centers that facilitate convenient access to hair follicle drug testing services. With facilities positioned nationwide, quick and hassle-free testing is readily available to all—whether locally or across the country. This accessibility ensures that precise drug testing is always within reach, making our services highly efficient and accommodating.
In Amity, NY, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. The journey, from ordering the test to receiving the results, is smoothly streamlined ensuring a clear, straightforward, and discreet experience for all parties involved. Concerns for privacy are comprehensively addressed, yielding a process that's effortless and easy to navigate, still delivering precise and reliable results.
Our hair follicle testing services in Amity, NY, come with competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Highly valued by companies of various sizes, our affordable pricing structures ensure clients do not have to compromise on accuracy and reliability. The combination of reasonable costs and rapid result production not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our clients, delivering exceptional value and peace of mind.
In Amity, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in detecting substance usage is unmatched due to advanced testing methodologies. Hair testing's efficiency in pinpointing drug traces results from its high accuracy, ensuring that employers, legal departments, and individuals receive trustworthy and quick assessments.
This allows for immediate decisions with confidence and accuracy.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Amity, NY, aids employers in complying with drug-free workplace policies. Employers receive peace of mind knowing that these tests not only reduce legal risks but also enhance work safety standards. More than just a detection tool, hair testing becomes a pivotal aspect in nurturing a safe and compliant environment for both large organizations and small enterprises alike.
