Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Willsboro, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair can capture a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When clipped near the scalp, it can reveal up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and easy for transportation.

A sample totaling 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We advise utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary.

Process Overview

Four principal steps define the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the primary intake of a sample into the laboratory's protocol. This phase ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, attributes a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills outstanding data entry omitted from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary, swift assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly approach to excluding drug consumption for most samples, confirmation is essential for court acceptance of positive findings. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening demand further confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial submission to prepare for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing poses complexity.

Confirming any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: It can detect drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are hard to manipulate, enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical patterns: It can indicate a timeline of drug use, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Cost: Hair testing tends to be costlier than other methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual growth differences can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests," the actual test assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Willsboro, NY

• Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing boasts superior accuracy and reliability.
• This method provides a more comprehensive view of substance use, benefitting employers and individuals alike.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Willsboro, NY

• Hair follicle testing offers a substantially longer detection period, capturing drug use history up to 90 days.
• Employers gain valuable insights into an individual's substance habits, promoting informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Willsboro, NY

• Hair follicle testing minimizes the risk of sample tampering, yielding trustworthy and verifiable results.
• Ensuring the integrity of test outcomes helps maintain high standards in substance abuse assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Willsboro, NY

• With nationwide centers, testing services are straightforward and quickly accessible for everyone.
• Local options in Willsboro offer convenience and efficiency in acquiring necessary tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Willsboro, NY

• Ordering, undergoing, and receiving results is straightforward, prioritizing confidentiality and ease.
• The process reassures users of privacy, vital in sensitive health and employment matters.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Willsboro, NY

• Competitive pricing structures make hair follicle testing accessible, offering excellent value.
• Fast turnaround times ensure timely receipt of results, crucial for decision-making across businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Willsboro, NY

• The precision of hair follicle tests outshines other testing methods, ensuring accurate detection of substance use.
• These tests rapidly deliver results, supporting better-informed decisions in personal and professional scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Willsboro, NY

• Utilizing hair follicle tests upholds workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks.
• Employers enjoy enhanced workplace safety and peace of mind with reliable testing protocols.

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