Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it offers up to a roughly three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, it's relatively challenging to tamper with, and it can be easily dispatched.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of about 200 strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is advised. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable portion of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only, whereas body hair encompasses all other categories (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result comprises four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the primary integration of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This step includes confirming whether the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent confirmation.
If the Screening phase indicates a presumptively positive sample, further hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at a less concentrated level than achieved by other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening remains the most complex methodology to administer.
Confirmation of any positive screening finding is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples termed presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. Each segment of the laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers several advantages over urine tests in Columbia Station, OH, proving to be a superior option for drug detection.
Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides a longer detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to identify chronic usage rather than just recent exposure.
Urine tests can be susceptible to tampering, while hair follicle tests are more resistant to manipulation. This ensures the integrity of test results, offering greater confidence in assessments.
In Columbia Station, OH, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that far exceeds that of traditional methods.
With a span of up to 90 days, this testing method provides employers with a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use patterns over time.
This extended window allows for a more accurate assessment of long-term usage, helping employers make better-informed decisions about their workforce's reliability and safety.
One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing in Columbia Station, OH, is its resistance to tampering.
Unlike urine tests, which can sometimes be compromised, hair follicle samples are less susceptible to adulteration, ensuring the reliability of the results.
This robust testing method builds confidence in the process, as the integrity of the sample remains intact, providing conclusive results that are difficult to dispute or falsify.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing centers across Columbia Station, OH, ensuring ease of access to services.
Nationwide, our locations facilitate fast and hassle-free sample submission, making the process smooth for all involved.
The availability of numerous local centers reduces travel time and inconvenience, allowing employers and individuals to address their testing needs efficiently and effectively.
The process of ordering, administering, and receiving results from hair follicle testing in Columbia Station, OH, is both simple and confidential.
Clients can order tests easily, ensuring privacy throughout each step.
Confidentiality is paramount, and we are committed to safeguarding personal information while providing clear and concise results, addressing any privacy concerns effectively.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Columbia Station, OH, guaranteeing excellent value.
Our quick turnaround times ensure timely results, keeping your operations running smoothly and without unnecessary delays.
Our flexible pricing structures cater to companies of all sizes, promoting accessibility and ensuring that quality testing services are available without financial strain.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Columbia Station, OH, set a new standard in substance detection.
These tests offer high accuracy levels in revealing substance abuse history, ensuring reliable outcomes. As a result, employers can make well-informed decisions with confidence.
Traditional testing methods often lack the necessary speed and accuracy, resulting in delayed outcomes. Hair follicle tests, by contrast, provide fast results without sacrificing reliability or accuracy.
Employers in Columbia Station, OH, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
This testing method minimizes legal risks associated with policy violations, promoting a safer work environment for all employees.
Choosing hair follicle testing offers substantial assurance against unwarranted substance abuse, thereby safeguarding both the company and its workforce from potential hazards and liabilities.
