Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance usage. Hair captures a long-term history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing about 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair—optimal for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is preferred. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing for a drug test consists of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial stage where a sample is integrated into the lab's database. This involves ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry aside from the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. As a cost-effective method, it rules out drug usage for most samples. However, a positive screen necessitates further confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test positive initially must undergo additional verification.
When a sample screens positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for further analysis in the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid analysis, explaining why hair drug screening is the most complex procedure to execute.
Confirming a positive screening outcome employs techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The complete lab process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is conducted in line with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing in Saint Charles, SC, provides several advantages. Hair tests excel in detection accuracy and dependability, offering a broader window for detecting drug use. This advantage ensures more accurate assessments of an individual's substance history, surpassing the capabilities of urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Saint Charles, SC, allows detection of drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days, offering employers significant insights into an individual's long-term substance use. This comprehensive history is invaluable for making informed decisions about hiring and maintaining workplace safety.
In Saint Charles, SC, hair follicle testing is a highly secure method due to its resilience against adulteration. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples offer reliability and accuracy, protecting results from tampering and ensuring the data's credibility for critical decisions.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenience through its network of nationwide testing centers, including local spots in Saint Charles, SC. This expansive reach makes it simple for individuals and companies to access quick and efficient testing services without hassle.
The process of hair follicle testing in Saint Charles, SC, is straightforward and discreet. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are seamlessly managed, ensuring privacy and ease for users, and addressing their concerns about confidentiality and simplicity.
Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective pricing along with swift result delivery in Saint Charles, SC. Our competitive rates and quick turnaround times guarantee outstanding value, meeting the needs of businesses large and small while fostering confidence.
In Saint Charles, SC, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their swift and precise outcomes. Their accuracy in identifying substance use outperforms other methods, making them the choice for quick and reliable detection. With rapid processing, results are delivered promptly, offering peace of mind and efficiency in decision-making.
Saint Charles, SC employers gain assurance from using hair follicle testing to uphold drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and promoting workplace safety. This method supports compliance, providing peace of mind that employees are adhering to substance use guidelines and maintaining a secure work environment.
