Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening has emerged as an effective technique for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section with approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the lab handling of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the first step of entering a sample into the lab system. This step checks that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation to be valid in court. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a second confirmation.
If a sample turns up presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and made ready for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Disadvantages:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp’s hair follicle
Hair follicle testing in Lido Beach, NY, outperforms traditional urine testing by offering superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which have a short detection window, hair testing detects substance use over a long duration. This not only enhances detection accuracy but also provides a robust look into an individual’s history, ensuring that no recent drug activity is missed.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Lido Beach, NY, provides a comprehensive overview of drug use. This extended timeframe means employers can review a more substantial history of potential employees’ substance use. Offering a much broader scope than urine tests, hair testing helps in making well-informed employment decisions with reliable historical substance data.
Hair follicle tests in Lido Beach, NY, are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine tests, which can be compromised, hair tests minimize the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures consistency and credibility in results, building trust that the outcomes truly reflect an individual’s drug use history, and offering employers assurance in maintaining compliant hiring practices.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including Lido Beach, NY. With centers across various cities, accessing swift and simple testing is effortless. Whether local or otherwise, our network ensures that effective testing is readily available. This widespread accessibility helps individuals and employers alike in obtaining drug testing services without location constraints.
In Lido Beach, NY, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From test ordering, sample collection, to receiving results, the streamlined procedure respects user privacy while ensuring ease. Clients can confidently navigate the process, assured that their personal information is protected and that they will receive their results efficiently.
With affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Lido Beach, NY, delivers excellent value. Offering competitive rates, Accredited Drug Testing caters to companies of all sizes. Quick turnaround ensures that businesses receive the information they need promptly, facilitating speedy decision-making and reinforcing trust in the testing solutions provided.
In Lido Beach, NY, hair follicle drug testing boasts a reputation for accuracy and speed. Unlike urine tests, hair tests accurately identify a range of substances over an extended timeframe. This high precision allows quick determination of drug use, supporting decisions with timely and reliable results. The meticulous detection method ensures that employers receive data they can rely on for critical decisions.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Lido Beach, NY, aids employers in maintaining compliance with workplace anti-drug policies. Such testing minimizes legal risks and promotes a safe environment. Hair tests, with their comprehensive detection and reliable results, offer peace of mind by ensuring employees adhere to policy standards and fostering a drug-free workplace atmosphere.
