Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashville, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture long-term histories of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is easy, harder to tamper with, and simple to ship.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is suggested. We propose weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in lab processing for a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within the laboratory’s framework. This step involves confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry beyond what an electronic chain of custody system offers.

Screening consists of a preliminary swift assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening provides a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening need further confirmation.

Should a sample return presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening remains the most intricate methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: It is exceptionally challenging to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a timeline of drug use over an interval, beyond recent use alone.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Ashville, the former offers obvious advantages. Hair testing provides superior detection over extended periods, making it more effective for chronic drug use evaluation.

While traditional urine tests focus on short-term detection, hair tests demonstrate higher accuracy and reliability, granting a more comprehensive insight into substance history and eliminating false negatives often associated with urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

An outstanding benefit of hair follicle testing in Ashville is its extended detection window, tracking drug usage up to 90 days. This long-term insight grants employers an opportunity to understand an individual's drug history fully.

Providing a broader perspective on substance habits, hair testing helps companies make informed decisions about potential hires or existing employees by revealing any drug use patterns over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing safeguards against data manipulation. In Ashville, this testing method ensures reliable results by preventing sample adulteration.

This unparalleled reliability stems from the difficulty in altering hair samples, which makes the outcomes of such tests credible and unquestionable, enhancing trust in the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our widespread testing locations, including those in Ashville, offer clients unmatched convenience. The accessibility of local testing centers facilitates an easy and efficient way to meet diverse testing needs.

Accredited Drug Testing is committed to making the process hassle-free, with facilities nationwide, ensuring clients benefit from swift and stress-free services locally in Ashville.

Simple, Confidential Process

The confidentiality and simplicity of drug testing in Ashville are priorities. Accredited Drug Testing ensures a seamless process from ordering through to receiving results, protecting client privacy every step of the way.

Our streamlined method guarantees participants’ ease of use, addressing potential privacy concerns while maintaining the highest standards of test confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our testing services in Ashville offer affordable solutions with impressively fast turnaround times. Accredited Drug Testing proudly presents competitive pricing structures tailored to all businesses, regardless of size.

Value and efficiency are at the core of our operations, meeting client needs quickly without compromising on quality, making us the preferred choice for budget-conscious employers and individuals alike.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ashville, hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and quick results. With advanced technology, the test accurately tracks substance use, offering reliable data promptly so that decisions can be made in confidence.

Accredited Drug Testing's method ensures high accuracy levels, making it the top choice for those requiring authentic and rapid substance analysis. Timely results ensure there's minimal waiting, which can be crucial in various scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Ashville employers, hair follicle testing promotes compliance while providing peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies reduces legal liabilities and cultivates a safer, more productive environment.

By employing hair tests, companies can confidently assert their zero-tolerance policies are robustly enforced, supporting both organizational integrity and employee safety standards.

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