Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains biomarkers within the strands as they grow, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When taken from close to the scalp, it can reveal around a 3-month timeframe for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to gather, fairly resistant to tampering, and straightforward to mail.
A 1.5-inch length of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equal to a #2 pencil's width) near the scalp provides 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab's systems. This entails confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening offers an inexpensive method to dismiss drug use in most cases, confirmation is necessary for any positive results to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need additional confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This step involves retrieving drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The whole lab progression from Accessioning to Confirmation is governed by both the CAP Hair designation (College of American Pathologists) and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle tests over traditional urine tests in Otway, OH, are striking. Hair tests deliver superior detection capabilities, unearthing drug use patterns with greater precision.
In Otway, OH, the long detection window of hair follicle testing provides an expansive view of substance use history. These tests cover up to 90 days, showcasing trusted results.
In Otway, OH, hair follicle tests are known for their tamper-resistant characteristics. Their robust design mitigates sample adulteration, guaranteeing sound results.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience in Otway, OH, with widespread centers nationwide. Smooth access to testing services is a given.
In Otway, OH, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and private. Users enjoy a discreet experience, addressing confidentiality concerns effectively.
Providing budget-friendly options, the testing process in Otway, OH, balances cost with speed. Competitive pricing enriches the value for all company sizes.
In Otway, OH, hair follicle tests offer quick, exact, and trustworthy outcomes. These tests have an impressive precision in spotting substance use, delivering confidently clear results.
Hair follicle testing in Otway, OH, assures employers of regulatory adherence, fostering a drug-free workplace. These tests align with compliance needs, minimizing legal risk.
