Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, hair offers a lengthy historical overview of alcohol and drug use. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and validation. For EtG tests, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equal quantity of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we solely refer to scalp hair. Alternatively, body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal steps in processing a sample for drug testing in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into a laboratory's database. This covers confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and mailed, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishing any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial inexpensive inspection for abuse of drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive results must undergo Confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower levels compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging approach.
To confirm any positive screening outcomes, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. From the Accessioning stage to Confirmation, the entire lab process is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and endorsed by ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the underlying follicle on the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Castalia, OH surpasses traditional urine tests in many ways. It boasts superior accuracy in detecting long-term drug use, making it an invaluable tool for employers.
Unlike urine tests, hair analysis offers a much broader detection window, capturing a wider history of substance use. This provides a more comprehensive assessment of an individual’s lifestyle choices.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Castalia, OH allows for drug usage tracking over a period up to 90 days. This prolonged window offers employers clear insights into an employee’s behaviors.
By encompassing such a wide timeframe, hair tests provide a thorough view of an individual’s substance history. Employers gain confidence in selecting candidates who meet their standards of responsibility.
Hair follicle testing in Castalia, OH is a tamper-resistant method, dramatically reducing the likelihood of sample tampering. This ensures the reliability of test results.
With its robust nature, this testing method allays concerns of adulteration. Employers can depend on the integrity of the testing process, making informed decisions based on trustworthy results.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations in Castalia, OH and nationwide, making drug testing services easily accessible.
Our extensive network of testing centers ensures that customers can find a location nearby, streamlining the process and reducing travel times. This accessibility supports quick and efficient service execution for all clients.
The process of hair follicle testing in Castalia, OH is both simple and confidential. From test ordering to results delivery, every step upholds privacy standards.
This user-friendly approach alleviates concerns related to the testing experience, making it straightforward for individuals and businesses to utilize the service smoothly and securely.
Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times characterize the hair follicle testing services in Castalia, OH. This makes it an attractive option for companies of all sizes.
Competitive pricing structures enhance the value proposition, allowing businesses to maintain their budgets while benefiting from quick and precise results.
Hair follicle drug tests in Castalia, OH provide fast, accurate results. They stand out with their precise detection capabilities, ensuring reliability when checking for substance use.
Results are delivered with remarkable speed, minimizing waiting times and allowing for prompt decision-making. The accuracy of this testing method is unparalleled, ensuring that companies and individuals alike can trust the outcomes.
Hair follicle drug testing in Castalia, OH assures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, providing employers a peace of mind and averting legal complications.
By adopting this method, companies foster a safer work environment, minimizing risks associated with substance misuse. It stands as a proactive step toward maintaining operational integrity.
