Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and other substances by incorporating biomarkers within its growing strands. When sampled near the scalp, it can reflect a roughly 3-month period of detection for drugs and alcohol. This method is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
To obtain an ideal testing sample, collect a 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands, similar in size to a #2 pencil, from near the scalp to achieve 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, or those surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We recommend verifying the specimen's weight with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning incorporates the initial sample processing into a lab's system. This phase ensures that the sample has been sealed and transported correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs. Though economical for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that show presumptive positives during Screening need subsequent confirmation.
Presumptive positives in the Screening phase require additional hair from the original sample for the Extraction step. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at far lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), establishing hair drug analysis as a particularly challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of positive screenings is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The entire process, extending from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly misidentified as "hair follicle tests", this examination specifically analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Brockport, NY, hair tests demonstrate superior detection and reliability. Hair tests can uncover substance use over a significantly longer period. Their advanced detection capabilities offer a comprehensive assessment, whereas urine tests are limited to recent usage.
Employers favor hair testing for its extended detection window and high accuracy. Hair tests provide a detailed substance history, reducing the likelihood of missed drug use due to time constraints that urine tests face.
Brockport, NY, employers benefit from hair follicle testing’s extended detection window, which can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior. Unlike other tests, this method offers a broad overview, capturing a longer substance use history crucial for comprehensive assessments.
Having a longer detection period provides employers a thorough view of an individual's habits over several months, enabling more informed decisions than would be gleaned from shorter-term tests like urine testing.
In Brockport, NY, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing is invaluable for ensuring reliable drug test results. Due to its collection and analysis processes, it's incredibly challenging to adulterate hair specimens, providing trustworthy outcomes.
This testing method reassures employers of the integrity of the results, diminishing the risk of tampered samples. Consequently, it strengthens the overall test reliability and validity compared to more vulnerable urine testing.
With widespread reach, Brockport, NY, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing’s numerous testing centers. This nationwide network ensures convenient, efficient access to drug testing services, offering a hassle-free experience for individuals in need of testing.
Local and easily accessible locations simplify the testing process, removing logistical barriers and making it straightforward for both individuals and organizations to conduct drug tests.
In Brockport, NY, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. Accredited Drug Testing ensures privacy and ease from ordering to test results. Individuals can rely on a discreet and straightforward process, addressing concerns over privacy effectively.
Our process is designed for ease of use, ensuring that privacy concerns are prioritized and addressed throughout the testing experience, from setup to receiving results.
Affordable pricing and efficient turnaround times are key benefits of using Accredited Drug Testing in Brockport, NY. Competitive pricing offers excellent value for companies, regardless of size, while quick result times enhance decision-making speed and reliability.
Our rapid response in delivering results ensures that companies can act promptly, saving time and resources while maintaining budget-friendly solutions for their drug testing needs.
In Brockport, NY, hair follicle drug testing is known for its speed and accuracy. The test effectively identifies drug use with precise and reliable results. In contrast to other testing methods, hair tests can reveal substance use history swiftly, ensuring employers receive timely and dependable information.
The efficiency of hair follicle tests offers a significant advantage to employers looking to maintain safe workplaces. The streamlined process ensures that results are delivered with expediency, minimizing waiting times compared to other testing methods.
Employers in Brockport, NY, find peace of mind using hair follicle tests due to compliance with drug-free policies. Enforcing these standards through dependable testing reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety significantly.
Hair testing meets legal and regulatory requirements effortlessly, offering confidence and surety to employers aiming for a zero-tolerance environment and ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
