Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a history of alcohol and drug usage by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and can be shipped without difficulty.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of around 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's best to weigh the specimen utilizing a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unattainable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result encompasses four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step verifies that the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to ruling out drug consumption in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.
Confirmation of positive screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the testing process examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
The hair follicle method stands out due to its superior accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests. In Schaghticoke, NY, this testing approach provides better detection, as it can trace substances for a much extended period—up to 90 days—while traditional urine tests only detect recent use, usually within a few days.
Hair follicle tests, available in Schaghticoke, NY, offer a significantly extended detection window, analyzing substance use for up to 90 days. This prolonged period allows employers and others a thorough understanding of an individual's drug history, supplying comprehensive insights beyond the narrower scope of urine tests.
The hair follicle test method reduces the potential for tampering or sample adulteration. In Schaghticoke, NY, this ensures test integrity, providing results that are both reliable and indisputable. Unlike urine tests, hair samples remain secure due to the observed collection process, significantly lowering the possibility of manipulation.
With our convenient network of testing centers nationwide, including those in Schaghticoke, NY, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free. The widespread availability ensures quick and easy access to testing, catering to the needs of individuals and organizations alike without inconvenience.
The hair follicle drug testing process in Schaghticoke, NY is simple and confidential. Ordering a test, taking the sample, and receiving results are designed to be user-friendly, preserving privacy and confidentiality at every step. This streamlined approach alleviates concerns about complexity or data privacy.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, our hair follicle drug testing in Schaghticoke, NY delivers exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. The quick processing times, coupled with affordable rates, ensure that customers receive excellent service without financial strain, reinforcing the benefits of this testing method.
In Schaghticoke, NY, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. These tests deliver quick and accurate results, efficiently detecting substance use. The high accuracy rate of hair testing is unmatched, ensuring that both employers and individuals can rely on these results for making informed decisions. The swift delivery of accurate outcomes sets hair testing apart from other methods.
In Schaghticoke, NY, hair follicle testing facilitates compliance with workplace drug-free policies, thereby mitigating potential legal troubles and enhancing safety. This approach reassures employers of adherence to regulations, providing peace of mind and maintaining a safer work environment.
