Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The structure of hair captures long-term indicators of alcohol and drugs within the strands of hair as they grow. When taken directly from the scalp, hair can reveal substance use spanning roughly three months. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to mail.
To collect an optimal sample for analysis, a 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp should yield 100mg of hair. For tests involving EtG, additional analytes, or more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Scalp hair refers exclusively to head hair. The term body hair includes all other types such as facial or axillary.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial entry of the sample into the laboratory’s protocol. This step ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.
Screening is an initial, rapid test for drugs. Though cost-effective for ruling out substance use in most samples, any positive findings in Screening require further confirmation to be legally recognized. Samples that test positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation process.
For specimens that test positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drug compounds are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods, such as urine or oral fluid testing. This complexity makes hair drug testing particularly challenging.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples presumed positive are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. Each step from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Known colloquially as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing proves to be a superior alternative to urine tests in Swormville, NY due to its high detection accuracy and reliability. While standard urine tests only show recent drug use, hair follicle testing provides insights into substance use over a longer period, making it ideal for comprehensive assessments.
Employers and agencies favor hair testing because it’s nearly impossible to tamper with, unlike urine tests which can be easily manipulated, ensuring the results are trustworthy and unbiased.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Swormville, NY covers up to 90 days, offering a thorough overview of an individual’s substance use history. This extensive timeframe assists employers in gaining a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s behavior.
Compared to the limited capability of urine tests, hair testing provides a fuller, clearer picture, which is beneficial in making informed hiring or management decisions, aiding in drug-free workplace maintenance.
In Swormville, NY, hair follicle tests are a highly tamper-resistant method. These tests greatly reduce the risk of sample adulteration or substitution. The hair collection process ensures the authenticity of the sample, providing results that are reliable and trustworthy.
The difficulties in manipulating hair test samples make them almost cheat-proof. This reliability is key for employers and authorities focusing on maintaining drug-free environments.
With convenient testing centers in Swormville, NY, and nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing offers easy access to our services. This infrastructure ensures fast, simple, and seamless testing procedures, minimizing stress for all involved.
Our vast network allows individuals and employers in Swormville to undergo testing at a location convenient to them, promoting access and efficiency in obtaining necessary services without hassle.
Our process in Swormville, NY is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy with every step of acquiring, executing, and receiving test results. We prioritize clarity and ease, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and simplicity.
The step-by-step procedure ensures individuals are well-informed, promoting confidence and reducing anxiety while maintaining discretion every step of the way.
We offer affordable pricing for our testing services in Swormville, NY, paired with rapid turnaround times. This approach provides excellent value for companies of various sizes, ensuring budget concerns don’t impede crucial safety measures.
Our competitive prices allow businesses to embrace effective drug testing strategies without compromise, alongside the guarantee of receiving prompt results that allow quick decision-making.
Hair follicle tests offer fast, precise, and reliable outcomes in Swormville, NY. Their ability to swiftly detect substance use with high accuracy makes them a superior choice for individuals and employers. This enhanced precision ensures that current and past drug use is identified accurately, giving peace of mind to all parties involved.
Unlike traditional methods, hair follicle tests can deliver results quickly without compromising accuracy. The thorough testing procedures employed guarantee a dependable assessment of an individual’s drug history.
Incorporating hair follicle testing in Swormville, NY helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, providing peace of mind and reducing legal risks. Adherence to these policies ensures a safer, more productive work environment.
Utilizing this testing method reassures businesses that they are employing individuals committed to safety, contributing to overall organizational well-being and reducing workplace incidents.
