Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a long-term history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample containing approximately 200 strands (roughly the size of a standard pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or tests that include more than 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial introduction of a sample into a laboratory system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal purposes. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Lexington, OK, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests in reliability and detection efficacy. The comprehensive scope of hair testing ensures more accurate identification of substances over extended periods compared to the limited window of urine tests.
The precision of hair testing is invaluable to employers and legal bodies implementing zero-tolerance policies, making it a superior choice to urine testing methods.
With a detection window extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Lexington, OK, offers employers a broad view of an individual's substance history. This method ensures a thorough understanding of past drug use, aiding in informed employment decisions.
Employers can benefit from the extended timeframe, obtaining a comprehensive assessment of ongoing substance use, which isn't possible with shorter-detection-period testing methods.
In Lexington, OK, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method that minimizes the risk of sample alteration, ensuring credible results. This reliability ensures authenticity, making it near-impossible for subjects to manipulate the outcome.
Employers and legal authorities favor hair testing for its inherent integrity, which eliminates the challenges associated with sample adulteration often seen in other testing methods.
Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process in Lexington, OK, with convenient testing centers nationwide. These locations provide accessible, hassle-free testing services, ensuring swift, local access without any inconvenience.
Whether seeking a nearby facility or one across the country, our extensive network accommodates your needs, making drug testing straightforward and efficient regardless of your location.
The hair follicle testing process in Lexington, OK, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness.
Participants can rely on a discreet experience, where ease of use ensures comfort and confidentiality at every stage, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
Offering competitive pricing in Lexington, OK, Accredited Drug Testing combines value with quick turnaround times. Our service is designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, ensuring rapid results without straining budgets.
By providing affordable tests with expeditious processing, we offer companies significant value, reinforcing cost efficiency and operational peace of mind.
Hair follicle tests in Lexington, OK, provide unmatched precision and quick results. These tests excel in pinpointing substance use with great accuracy. Patients can trust the results to reflect true substance consumption, enabling informed decision-making.
Rapid processing ensures that employers and individuals receive timely data, crucial for making swift, informed choices without compromising on accuracy and reliability.
For employers in Lexington, OK, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind by upholding drug-free workplace initiatives. This method ensures adherence to policies, reducing legal liabilities while promoting a safe working environment.
Utilizing hair testing aligns with compliance requirements, allowing businesses to confidently maintain their zero-tolerance stance on substance misuse.
