Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely regarded as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, it can provide approximately a 3-month detection period for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment, consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, additional testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair is an alternative. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair describes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This phase involves confirming the sample was securely sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, any positive screen must undergo confirmation to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample present a presumptively positive result at the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Positive screening findings are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS during the Confirmation phase. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often described as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Silver Springs, NY
Comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests reveals the clear advantages of hair testing. In Silver Springs, the superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair tests are evident. While urine tests are limited in scope, hair testing offers a more comprehensive and dependable method, making it the choice of many in the area for accurate substance detection.
Extended Detection Window in Silver Springs, NY
Hair follicle testing in Silver Springs provides an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use over a significant period, up to 90 days. This long-term insight gives employers a thorough understanding of a prospective or current employee's history with substances, ensuring informed decisions regarding workforce substance policies.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Silver Springs, NY
The hair follicle tests performed in Silver Springs significantly mitigate the risk of tampering, leading to reliable and indisputable outcomes. This tamper-resistant nature of hair testing ensures that results are trustworthy, offering peace of mind to employers and individuals alike who seek verifiable substance use evaluations.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Silver Springs, NY
Accredited Drug Testing in Silver Springs boasts a nationwide network of testing centers, offering easy and hassle-free access to testing services. This ensures quick and convenient options for individuals and businesses seeking thorough and efficient drug testing processes.
Simple, Confidential Process in Silver Springs, NY
The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests in Silver Springs is straightforward and confidential. Concerns about privacy are addressed, and ease of use is emphasized, assuring test-takers that their experience will be smooth and respectful of personal data.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Silver Springs, NY
In Silver Springs, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing structures alongside swift turnaround times. These aspects contribute tremendous value, offering companies of all sizes peace of mind while maintaining a commitment to affordable and effective drug testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Silver Springs, NY
In Silver Springs, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its remarkable speed and precision. These tests offer high accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring confidence in the results delivered. With the capability to promptly identify drug intake, Silver Springs' facilities provide reliable assessments that are invaluable for both employers and individuals seeking clarity on substance history.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Silver Springs, NY
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Silver Springs empowers employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This method reduces potential legal challenges and bolsters workplace safety, delivering a sense of security and assurance for companies committed to drug-free environments.