Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures long-term drug and alcohol use history by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as it grows. When hair is collected close to the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol presence within approximately a 3-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of about 200 strands (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional substances, and/or tests involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specify scalp hair only, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a sample is integrated into the laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening offers an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples showing an initial positive indication in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
If a sample shows a positive indication in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drug compounds are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid analysis), making hair drug testing a challenging methodology to execute.
Confirming a positive screen result is performed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumed positives are washed, if necessary, before confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test specifically examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Carleton, OK, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, covering a much longer history of substance use compared to urine analysis.
Employers and courts favor hair testing for its reliability in detecting past drug use, supporting zero-tolerance policies effectively while minimizing risks of false negatives.
Offering an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Carleton, OK, gives employers valuable insights into an individual’s substance use history. Unlike other methods, hair tests reveal long-term patterns, helping employers make informed hiring decisions, and ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
This extended view helps maintain workplace safety and integrity.
Hair follicle tests in Carleton, OK, are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. They significantly reduce the possibility of sample adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and valid.
This method ensures that the risk of cheating is nearly eliminated, thereby upholding the integrity of the testing process and guaranteeing the trustworthiness of the results obtained.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including those in Carleton, OK, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free.
Our extensive network ensures individuals and companies alike have quick and easy access to our facilities, bolstering the convenience of obtaining the necessary testing services whenever required.
In Carleton, OK, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results is designed to address privacy concerns and ease of use.
This ensures that both individuals and employers can trust the process, knowing their information is secure and the procedure is uncomplicated from start to finish.
Our hair follicle testing services in Carleton, OK, offer affordable pricing with fast turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Clients appreciate our competitive pricing structure and the promptness with which results are delivered, allowing them to keep operations smooth and investments cost-effective.
In Carleton, OK, obtaining fast, accurate, and reliable results is achievable through hair follicle drug testing. This form of testing is noted for its exceptional precision in detecting substances, ensuring both employers and legal professionals receive dependable results.
The high accuracy of hair testing provides confidence in the findings, making it an indispensable tool for maintaining drug-free environments.
For employers in Carleton, OK, hair follicle testing supports compliance and peace of mind with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks while enhancing safety.
By utilizing hair tests, companies can maintain confident adherence to regulations, minimizing potential liabilities and fostering a safer, more compliant workplace environment for all employees.
