Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mechanicville, NY

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has increasingly become recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By incorporating biomarkers into the strands of hair as they grow, hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection range of around three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is uncomplicated, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is straightforward.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests like EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest the use of a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be absent, a comparable quantity of body hair may be acquired. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing drug test results encompasses these four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional data absent from the electronic chain of custody documentation.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for potential drug abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-efficient means to dismiss drug usage in many samples, positive results require formal confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary verification.

Upon a presumptive positive outcome in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted at notably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid testing), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is very hard to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of the outcomes.
• Historical insights: It can offer evidence of drug usage patterns over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the actual examination is on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is a superior choice over urine tests for several reasons, particularly in Mechanicville, NY. Hair tests provide more precise detection and reliability, offering insights into substance use that urine tests might overlook, demonstrating their effectiveness in identifying prolonged drug consumption.

Extended Detection Window

One key advantage of hair follicle testing in Mechanicville, NY is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug usage over a period of up to 90 days, these tests give employers an in-depth view of an individual's substance history, enhancing decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Mechanicville, NY offer a robust, tamper-resistant method of testing. The nature of hair samples and the testing process minimize the chances of adulteration, ensuring results are reliable and trustworthy, which is critical for maintaining testing integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide including in Mechanicville, NY, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to drug testing services. The widespread availability allows for quick, efficient, and hassle-free testing, ensuring accessibility for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mechanicville, NY, our drug testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to results delivery, privacy is prioritized, ensuring an easy and secure experience for users, when dealing with sensitive information and testing results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability and fast turnaround are key benefits of our service in Mechanicville, NY. We offer competitive pricing and swift processing times, ensuring that companies of all sizes receive excellent value and reduced waiting periods for test results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, accurate, and reliable results are crucial, and hair follicle drug tests in Mechanicville, NY deliver just that. These tests are designed with precision and speed, detecting substance use with remarkable accuracy. Employers can depend on hair tests for quick insights into substance history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Mechanicville, NY can achieve compliance and peace of mind by using hair follicle tests. These tests help enforce drug-free workplace policies, mitigate legal risks, and contribute to a safer working environment, vital for organizational efficiency and safety.

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