Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair traps biomarkers within its fibers, offering an extended historical record of substance use. When collected near the scalp, it can indicate alcohol and drug use for up to a three-month period. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG additions, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The main four steps involved in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of a sample's entry into a lab's system. This process verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional information entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary check for substance abuse. Although Screening is economical for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive finding must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Presumed positive results in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of positive screening results is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation when needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Malaga, OH, the former stands out due to its superior accuracy and reliability. Hair testing can detect a much longer history of substance use.
The benefit of a hair test over a urine test is its ability to uncover drug use over a period of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window.
Moreover, hair follicle tests offer more reliable results, making them nearly impossible to cheat, providing a secure solution for employers seeking accurate drug screening.
Hair follicle testing in Malaga, OH, offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days.
This increased timeframe allows employers to gain a comprehensive insight into an individual’s substance use history, aiding in reliable evaluation.
Thanks to its long detection window, hair follicle testing provides an unparalleled assessment of an applicant or employee's past drug usage.
In Malaga, OH, hair follicle tests are favored for their tamper-resistant nature, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration.
Unlike urine tests, hair tests discourage tampering due to their difficult-to-manipulate sample collection, ensuring reliable outcomes.
The unquestionable integrity of hair follicle tests provides confidence in the results, securing accurate drug testing practices.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to its services in Malaga, OH, supported by a network of nationwide testing centers.
Our clients benefit from quick and hassle-free testing experiences, facilitated by our accessible local and national sites.
Ease of access and the availability of numerous centre locations ensure prompt drug testing services whenever needed.
The process of getting a hair follicle test in Malaga, OH, is simple and confidential, safeguarding privacy throughout each step.
Our streamlined ordering and testing workflow assures ease of interaction, from scheduling an appointment to receiving results efficiently.
We take confidentiality seriously, ensuring personal data remains protected while delivering accurate drug test outcomes.
Malaga, OH's Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle tests, ensuring affordability without sacrificing quality.
Clients enjoy fast turnaround times on test results, providing excellent value and assured service quality irrespective of company size.
The combination of affordability and efficiency helps clients make informed decisions promptly, backed by reliable testing results.
In Malaga, OH, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast, precise, and trustworthy results. Their ability to accurately detect substance use makes them a preferred choice for many.
Employers benefit from the high accuracy of hair tests, which swiftly identify drug use, providing peace of mind and ensuring workplace safety with minimal delay.
The speed of processing hair follicle tests ensures that results are delivered promptly, allowing for quick decision-making and reducing the turnaround time.
For employers in Malaga, OH, hair follicle testing provides compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks.
Utilizing these tests offers peace of mind through enhanced safety and adherence to company policies, creating a safer workplace.
Hair tests enable employers to maintain consistent compliance, minimizing risks associated with non-compliance and ensuring a drug-free environment.
