Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term indicator of drug and alcohol usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is clipped near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of roughly 3 months. The collection of hair is easy, tampering with it is quite challenging, and shipping it is straightforward.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches taken from approximately 200 strands of hair (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests involving EtG, additional substances, and/or involving more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If there's a lack of scalp hair, collecting an equivalent volume of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" specifically refers to hair from the scalp itself. "Body hair" encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a specimen is initially processed within a lab's system. This phase verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening constitutes an initial, rapid evaluation for drugs. Although Screening offers a cost-effective approach for dismissing drug presence in most samples, any positive findings must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening require further confirmation testing.
Should a sample be deemed potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this process, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most rigorous method to conduct.
Any positive outcomes from screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before Confirmation, presumptively positive samples may undergo washing if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the test targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Southeast Jackson, OR
Hair testing offers notable advantages due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. It's more effective in identifying long-term use, unlike urine tests, which only reveal recent consumption.
Extended Detection Window is a significant benefit of hair follicle testing in Southeast Jackson, OR.
This method provides a 90-day window for drug use detection, offering employers a broad overview of substance history, unmatched by other testing options.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Southeast Jackson, OR.
The robust nature of hair follicle testing significantly reduces the chances of sample tampering, resulting in reliable and unquestionable results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations include Southeast Jackson, OR.
Our nationwide and local centers provide quick and easy access to testing services, minimizing any hassle involved in the testing process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Southeast Jackson, OR.
The hair follicle testing process is designed for ease and confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring secure and straightforward testing.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Southeast Jackson, OR.
We offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround, delivering excellent value and peace of mind for businesses seeking cost-effective solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are the hallmarks of hair follicle testing in Southeast Jackson, OR.
This method delivers unmatched precision and speed, ensuring the highest degree of accuracy in substance use detection. Comparatively, hair tests can quickly provide better insight into historical drug use than traditional urine tests.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers focuses on hair follicle testing's role in Southeast Jackson, OR.
It ensures alignment with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing workplace safety.
