Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline for detecting alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug or alcohol usage for up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, results in 100mg of hair—the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory process comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into a lab's system. It ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any uncompleted electronic data entry tasks.
In the Screening phase, there's an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to eliminating drug use possibilities in most samples, but a positive screen must be verified for court acceptability. Any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.
If the Screening phase results are presumptively positive, additional hair is selected from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to perform.
Positive results from Screening are confirmed through methodologies like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Coldstream, OH, hair testing surpasses traditional urine analysis through superior detection precision and reliability. Hair testing at Accredited Drug Testing effectively captures long-term substance use, unlike urine tests, which provide limited detection.
Extended Detection Window
Traditionally conducted in Coldstream, OH, hair follicle testing allows for drug use detection over an extended period, often up to 90 days. This provides employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance usage history, assisting in informed hiring and monitoring practices.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
By utilizing hair follicle testing in Coldstream, OH, the risks of sample tampering are greatly minimized. This method ensures the reliability and indisputability of drug test results, assisting in maintaining testing integrity and confidence.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
With an extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including in Coldstream, OH, Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient, efficient access to testing services. Our facilities ensure a streamlined and hassle-free testing experience.
Simple, Confidential Process
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle testing in Coldstream, OH is straightforward and private. Privacy concerns are addressed effectively, facilitating ease of use and confidentiality for all clients.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times in Coldstream, OH. This balance between affordability and speed delivers exceptional value and security to companies, regardless of their size.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Coldstream, OH, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and swiftness, offering unmatched accuracy in identifying substance use. These tests deliver rapid results
and ensure high dependability in diagnosing recent and past drug consumption.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Coldstream, OH can achieve peace of mind and compliance with workplace drug policies through hair follicle testing. It helps mitigate legal risks while enhancing workplace safety and maintaining a drug-free environment.
