Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means of uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of a growing hair strand capture biomarkers, providing a historical record of alcohol and substance use. Close-to-scalp hair samples can reveal drug and alcohol presence for up to three months. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to send.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is best to collect 150mg of the specimen. It's advisable to measure the specimen with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a corresponding volume of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (like facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step, which integrates a sample into a lab's system. It ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry that an electronic chain of custody hasn't provided.
Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While it efficiently rules out drug use for most samples, any positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples showing preliminary positive results during Screening must undergo an additional confirmation stage.
For samples preliminarily positive during screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for further processing. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods, like urine or oral fluid. This illustrates why hair drug screening is the most complex methodology.
Confirmation for any positive initial screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Confirming samples involve preliminary washing. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle under the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Okay, OK
Hair testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests.
For those in Okay, OK, seeking a reliable method to detect past substance use, hair follicle testing is an exemplary choice.
Extended Detection Window in Okay, OK
The hair follicle test provides an extensive detection period, revealing drug use history over the past 90 days.
Employers in Okay, OK can rely on hair follicle testing for a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Okay, OK
Minimize the risk of sample tampering with our robust hair follicle testing methods.
Okay, OK businesses can depend on authentic, unaltered testing results, ensuring reliability and confidence in the outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Okay, OK
Enjoy seamless access to our testing centers nationwide, including Okay, OK.
The convenience of nearby testing locations ensures minimal disruption to your daily routine.
Simple, Confidential Process in Okay, OK
Experience a straightforward and private testing process, ensuring that your privacy remains intact.
In Okay, OK, our services prioritize both simplicity and confidentiality for all clients.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Okay, OK
Benefit from competitively priced testing combined with rapid results delivery, offering excellent value.
Companies in Okay, OK trust our pricing strategy and quick turnaround for reliable testing services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Okay, OK
Discover unmatched speed and precision with our hair follicle testing, which offers high accuracy in detecting substance use.
Our laboratories utilize state-of-the-art technology, guaranteeing that every test conducted in Okay, OK, delivers consistent and dependable results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Okay, OK
Utilize hair follicle tests to adhere to workplace drug-free regulations, mitigating legal risks and promoting safety.
Employers in Okay, OK benefit from peace of mind and legal assurance through trusted hair follicle testing.