Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is widely recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides a detailed history of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand. When hair is taken from near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's size) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug testing comprises four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample in a lab's system. It includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry required beyond the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to assess most samples for drug usage, a positive result must be confirmed to be legally accepted. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further preparation in Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.
Confirmation of a positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives are washed as required before confirmation. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Testing is Superior
In Sportsmen Acres, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests uncover a longer drug use history and reduce the risk of tampering, thus outperforming urine tests significantly.
Thorough Detection Over Time
With the capacity to detect drug use for up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Sportsmen Acres provides employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, aiding informed decisions regarding workforce health and safety.
Reduced Risk of Fraud
Hair follicle testing in Sportsmen Acres significantly diminishes the likelihood of sample adulteration. This testing technique ensures that results are credible and reliable, safeguarding the integrity of the screening process.
Accessible Testing Centers
The availability of nationwide testing centers, including Sportsmen Acres, ensures that accessing drug testing services is both convenient and hassle-free. This extensive network supports efficient and swift testing for all stakeholders.
Ease and Confidentiality
In Sportsmen Acres, the process for ordering, conducting, and obtaining hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential. This approach respects individuals' privacy while ensuring a seamless experience in handling drug tests.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times offer clients in Sportsmen Acres exceptional value for money, coupled with dependable results that assist companies of all sizes in maintaining their safety standards.
Quick and Precise Results
The hair follicle drug tests in Sportsmen Acres deliver fast, precise, and reliable results, ensuring that substance use is detected with high accuracy. This method is instrumental in maintaining trust in testing outcomes and guaranteeing timely and efficient substance use reporting.
Assured Compliance and Safety
Implementing hair follicle drug testing helps employers in Sportsmen Acres maintain compliance with stringent workplace policies, thereby minimizing legal liabilities and fostering a safer environment for employees.
