Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair acts as a long-term record for alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand. Collected from near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to nearly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. It is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a corresponding quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation are the primary steps involved in the lab processing of a drug test result.
Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample is appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for the presence of drugs. Though this stage offers a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug presence in the majority of samples, a positive screen demands confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening indeed require further confirmation.
When Screening results are positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are isolated from the hair at a notably lower concentration level than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology.
Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
For residents in Briarwood, ND, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. One of the primary benefits is its superior detection accuracy over a more extended period. Employers gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual’s drug use history, which urine tests fail to provide, especially for longer-term substance use.
Hair testing provides enhanced reliability as it’s less prone to tampering compared to urine samples. This kind of testing ensures trustworthy results, allowing for an informed decision-making process. In Briarwood, the shift towards hair follicle testing is evident due to these clear benefits.
In Briarwood, ND, the extensive detection window of hair follicle testing outshines other methods, offering insights into drug use for up to 90 days. For employers, this means gaining a broader perspective on an individual’s substance use history, crucial for hiring and ongoing employment decisions.
Hair follicle testing’s ability to track drug use over several months provides a comprehensive view, helping businesses maintain a drug-free environment. This extended window is essential for assessing candidates’ past behavior, ensuring the safety and integrity of the workplace as they monitor past substance use.
Choosing hair follicle testing in Briarwood, ND, significantly lowers the risk of sample adulteration. This testing method is naturally resistant to common tampering tactics that can undermine urine tests, offering results that are both reliable and unquestionable.
Hair follicle tests provide peace of mind through their tamper-proof nature. Employers who need dependable drug testing results can rely on hair tests to combat the potential for interference that makes other methods less secure, ensuring the integrity of the testing process and the credibility of the outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to hair follicle testing with nationwide locations, including facilities in Briarwood, ND. This extensive network allows for quick and easy access to testing services, minimizing the hassle for clients.
Having a local presence ensures that individuals in Briarwood can benefit from seamless testing processes. Our strategic locations make scheduling and conducting tests hassle-free, ensuring a straightforward experience for clients across the country and within Briarwood itself.
In Briarwood, ND, our hair follicle testing process ensures simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure is designed to protect personal privacy and maintain ease of use, addressing concerns about sensitive information handling and the overall testing experience.
The process is both simple and straightforward, with clear steps that prioritize user convenience and discretion. This minimizes complications and ensures participants can focus on what matters most: the accurate and confidential assessment of their substance use.
In Briarwood, ND, competitive pricing combined with rapid turnaround times makes our hair follicle testing service an excellent value. Businesses can trust that they’re receiving affordable and expedient test results, providing peace of mind regardless of company size.
The cost-effectiveness of our hair follicle tests ensures access to premium services without straining budgets. Our efficient processing times guarantee that companies can operate with minimal disruption, confidently knowing they’re receiving high-quality outcomes promptly.
When it comes to drug testing in Briarwood, ND, hair follicle tests stand out for their speed and accuracy. These tests offer fast and accurate results, thanks to the precise detection methodologies used. Their reliability in identifying substance use ensures the credibility of testing outcomes, giving employers the confidence they need in the results.
One of the main benefits of hair follicle testing is its efficiency in providing quick outcomes. The technology behind these tests allows for rapid processing, making them ideal for businesses seeking speedy validation of their employees’ substance use status, without compromising on the quality of the information gathered.
For employers in Briarwood, ND, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, crucial for reducing legal risks. This testing method contributes to a safer work environment, reinforcing organizational integrity and employee trust by consistently maintaining compliance with established guidelines.
Using hair follicle testing means employers can rest easy, knowing they are meeting legal requirements and proactively addressing potential substance-related issues. This proactive approach supports a stable, drug-free workplace, enhancing safety and minimizing the potential for workplace incidents.
