Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair analysis has become increasingly recognized for its efficacy in detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended chemical profile by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal substance usage data for up to three months. The ease of collection, the challenge of tampering, and straightforward shipping make hair sampling a practical choice.
To procure an optimal sample, collect a 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hairs, resembling the girth of a #2 pencil, from the scalp. This yields around 100mg of material for evaluation and authentication. For expanded assessments such as EtG or panels in excess of ten, a 150mg sample is advised. It is best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s balance. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable quantity of body hair is an acceptable substitute. Scalp hair specifically refers to hair from the head, while body hair includes all other variations (such as facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis for drug testing encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning phase, the sample is integrated into the lab’s database. This step verifies correct sealing and shipment, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening phase executes a preliminary assessment for substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most specimens, a positive result must be corroborated to hold in a legal context. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further Confirmation.
For presumptive positives identified in Screening, additional hair is separated from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated at concentrations substantially lower than other testing techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting the greater technical difficulty of hair drug analysis.
Positive screening outcomes are confirmed using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a cleansing process prior to confirmation if required. The complete workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination is performed on the hair strand, excluding the follicle within the scalp.
Hair Follicle vs. Urine Testing: In Stratford, OK, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests due to its extensive detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, which may only detect recent usage, hair tests provide a detailed overview of substance use over time, enhancing their trustworthiness in testing environments.
Hair follicle testing in Stratford, OK, provides an extended detection window up to 90 days, making it an essential tool for employers seeking to understand a person's long-term drug use. This prolonged window offers a thorough view of an individual’s drug use history, assisting in making informed hiring or disciplinary decisions.
By employing hair follicle tests, Stratford, OK, eliminates much of the risk associated with sample tampering. These tests are designed to produce reliable results that are nearly impossible to alter, offering solid, indisputable evidence of an individual’s substance use. This feature greatly reduces the chance for adulteration.
Accredited Drug Testing locations across the country, including in Stratford, OK, offer unparalleled convenience. With a broad network of testing centers, obtaining quick, effortless, and stress-free testing services is simple, ensuring clients can access services wherever needed and at their convenience.
Our testing services in Stratford, OK, ensure a simple and confidential testing process. From ordering to obtaining results, the procedure is straightforward, maintaining the privacy and ease of use that clients expect. Concerns about confidentiality and process complexity are thoroughly addressed.
With competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, Stratford, OK, offers affordable testing options, ensuring companies of various sizes receive great value. Our efficient processing reinforces cost-effectiveness, delivering speed and accuracy without compromising on quality or reliability, enhancing client peace of mind.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in Stratford, OK. These tests provide quick yet reliable results, emphasizing their exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use. Not only are results delivered swiftly, but they also offer a comprehensive and clear assessment of an individual's drug use history.
Efficiency and Accuracy: Employers benefit from the precise nature of these tests, ensuring trustworthy outcomes in less time.
Employers in Stratford, OK, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing potential legal risks. Implementing such testing enhances workplace safety, providing a secure and compliant working environment for all employees.
