Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a valuable method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair provides an extended history of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use over a 3-month period. It is straightforward to collect, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.
A sample of hair, measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, yields 100mg, ideal for both testing and confirmation. For EtG and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for accurate weighing is suggested. If scalp hair is unavailable, equivalent body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers only to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
Drug test processing follows four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary stage where a sample enters the lab's system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any needed data entry that isn't included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a rapid evaluation for substance use. It's a cost-effective method to dismiss drug presence in most cases, but positive results require confirmation for legal validity. Any sample that tests positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If Screening yields a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. This stage retrieves drugs from hair at lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid, contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive outcome from Screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that test presumptive positive are cleansed beforehand if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, meets the CAP Hair standards and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the skin.
In Montezuma, OH, hair follicle testing provides clear advantages over traditional urine tests. Benefits Include:
Hair follicle testing in Montezuma, OH, offers an extended detection window, tracing drug consumption up to 90 days. Key Advantages:
In Montezuma, OH, hair follicle testing stands out for its tamper-resistant qualities, significantly minimizing risks of sample adulteration. Advantages include:
Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes convenience by providing numerous nationwide testing locations, including in Montezuma, OH. Benefits include:
The process for hair follicle testing in Montezuma, OH, is both simple and confidential. Process Steps:
In Montezuma, OH, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Key Advantages:
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Montezuma, OH, set them apart. These tests deliver high accuracy, ensuring reliable detection of substance use. Employers can expect rapid results, enhancing decision-making processes and maintaining workplace integrity without compromising on quality or speed. This balance of accuracy and efficiency makes hair testing an invaluable resource for organizations.
Employers in Montezuma, OH, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which assures compliance with workplace drug policies. Benefits include: