Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests have become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drug usage. Hair is easy to collect, relatively difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an identical quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test includes four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning initiates the introduction of a sample into a lab's system. This entails ensuring the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.
If a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Titusville, NY
The advantages of hair testing in Titusville are clear when compared with traditional urine analyses. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, with the ability to trace drug usage over a more extended window, ensuring greater reliability. The potential for outperforming urine tests establishes it as the favored choice for systematic substance detection.
Extended Detection Window in Titusville, NY
As organizations and employers in Titusville seek comprehensive evaluations, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This long period offers a detailed view of an individual's drug history, proving invaluable in assessing routine substance habits and ensuring informed decisions regarding drug usage.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Titusville, NY
Ensuring sample integrity, hair follicle tests in Titusville vastly reduce the likelihood of tampering. Their robustness in hindering adulteration makes the results dependable, delivering unquestionable outcomes that safeguard the reliability of assessments, thereby strengthening the trust in the testing process.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Titusville, NY
With a network of testing centers spread across the country, including Titusville, individuals and companies enjoy the convenience of rapid, easy access. This widespread reach ensures a hassle-free experience for those seeking testing services nationwide, thereby enhancing accessibility and efficiency.
Simple, Confidential Process in Titusville, NY
The hair follicle testing process in Titusville is crafted to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering and conducting tests to accessing results, the protocol respects privacy, while maintaining clarity and simplicity for users, making it an appealing choice for all stakeholders involved.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Titusville, NY
Competitive pricing structures coupled with swift turnaround times in Titusville make hair follicle testing an economical choice. Companies of varied scales appreciate the value-for-money and quick service, ensuring a prudent yet efficient drug testing approach that suits diverse financial plans.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Titusville, NY
Hair follicle drug testing stands out in its capability to deliver expedient and precise outcomes. The precision of hair analysis in identifying substance consumption is unmatched, ensuring both rapid and dependable results. Individuals and organizations around Titusville benefit from this testing method's high accuracy rate, securing a thorough representation of drug use history.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Titusville, NY
For employers in Titusville, NY, opting for hair testing methods ensures adherence to drug-free workplace standards. These tests reduce liability hazards and cultivate a safer work environment, promoting peace of mind for businesses committed to robust compliance with defined policies.
