Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a longer history of drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When gathered from near the scalp, hair offers a detection span of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in diameter to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step, where a sample undergoes initial processing into a laboratory’s system. During this step, the sealing and shipping of the sample are verified, it is assigned a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.
Screening is an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, any screen that returns a positive must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screen result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples receive a wash before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair qualification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
When comparing hair testing to traditional urine tests in South Blooming Grove, NY, hair follicle analysis emerges as superior. Hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, making it a preferred choice for those seeking more comprehensive drug use screening. The significant advantage of hair tests is their ability to showcase drug usage over an extended period, which standard urine tests cannot match. This makes them invaluable for employers enforcing stringent drug-free policies.
South Blooming Grove, NY, sees extended benefits of hair follicle testing owing to its lengthy detection window. Hair tests can uncover drug use dating back up to 90 days, granting employers a thorough overview of an individual's substance history. This extended timeframe allows for a more comprehensive evaluation, as it accounts for habitual use that might not be detected by other testing methods. Employers find this invaluable for long-term assessments of applicant or employee drug use patterns.
Hair follicle tests in South Blooming Grove, NY, offer a tamper-resistant testing method, drastically mitigating the risk of sample adulteration. This feature provides reliable and unchallengeable results, building trust in the integrity of the test outcomes. The secure collection process ensures that samples remain unaltered, thereby preserving the authenticity of the analysis. This makes hair tests an ideal choice for sensitive or legal contexts where accuracy is paramount.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including local centers in South Blooming Grove, NY. The expansive network ensures accessibility and convenience, allowing individuals and organizations to access testing services swiftly and without hassle. By providing easily reachable testing facilities, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process for all parties involved, ensuring that the procedure is both quick and efficient.
The process of ordering and taking a hair follicle test in South Blooming Grove, NY, is designed to be simple and confidential. From the initial ordering to receiving results, every step ensures privacy and ease of use, addressing common concerns about confidentiality. Accredited Drug Testing strives to make the testing experience seamless for clients, ensuring that their privacy is respected throughout the process while still delivering reliable results.
With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in South Blooming Grove, NY, offers exceptional value for companies of all sizes. The affordable rates, coupled with quick result delivery, provide peace of mind and financial viability for businesses seeking comprehensive drug testing services. This approach underscores Accredited Drug Testing's commitment to accessibility and efficiency, allowing organizations to implement effective drug testing programs without sacrificing budgetary constraints.
In South Blooming Grove, NY, hair follicle drug tests are favored for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. This advanced testing method is designed to detect a broad range of substances with remarkable precision and speed. Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests provide conclusive results that employers and individuals can rely on. The efficiency of these tests ensures that results are delivered promptly, facilitating speedy decision-making and action.
Employers in South Blooming Grove, NY, gain peace of mind and compliance assurance with hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks and bolstering workplace safety. By opting for hair tests, employers can fortify their commitment to maintaining a secure and compliant workplace environment. This not only protects the organization but also enhances the overall safety and productivity of the workforce.
