Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When collected near the scalp, it can offer up to around a three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system, including the verification of proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective means to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary Confirmation.
For samples that test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening finding is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are pre-washed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In West Union, OH, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing significantly. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, largely due to their extensive evaluation period. This ensures that drug or alcohol use does not go unnoticed weeks after the fact, unlike urine tests, where traces might dissipate quickly. The reliability of hair testing makes it indispensable in monitoring long-term substance use.
Hair follicle testing offers an elongated detection window, unparalleled by other testing forms in West Union, OH. Extending up to 90 days, it provides employers an in-depth overview of an individual's drug history. This comprehensive insight allows businesses to make informed decisions, ensuring the workplace remains drug-free and secure, reflecting a candidate's or employee's true substance use habits over time.
Hair follicle tests in West Union, OH are engineered to resist tampering, crucial for obtaining valid results. Unlike urine tests, the collection and analysis processes of hair tests virtually eliminate the possibility of sample adulteration. This integrity assures employers and authorities alike of the test's authenticity and reliability, fostering a trustworthy testing environment.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access with nationwide centers including West Union, OH. Our extensive network allows seamless drug testing services, making the process effortless for individuals and organizations. Local availability ensures quick, hassle-free, and easily accessible testing facilities, catering to all needs effectively and promptly.
The procedure for hair follicle testing in West Union, OH is both straightforward and confidential. Ordering a test, taking it, and receiving results are simple steps designed to protect user privacy. This streamlined approach guarantees an unintrusive experience while safeguarding personal information, alleviating concerns over confidentiality at every stage.
Offering competitive pricing, our hair follicle testing in West Union, OH is cost-effective for businesses of all sizes. The swift turnaround times ensure timely results, providing excellent value. Employers can continue operations without hindrance, secure in the knowledge they have invested in a service that is both economical and efficient.
The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in West Union, OH. Not only do they provide rapid and reliable results, but their ability to accurately detect a wide array of substances makes them an essential tool for many organizations. The high degree of precision ensures that results are trustworthy, making them preferable for accurate substance detection.
West Union, OH employers gain significant peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By aligning with workplace drug policies, these tests diminish legal risks and reinforce workplace safety. Their efficacy in detecting long-term drug use helps maintain compliant and secure work environments, upholding stringent standards and promoting employee well-being.
