Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly viewed as a robust instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a long-term usage history of substances by embedding biomarkers in the hair shaft as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reflect drug and alcohol use over roughly three months. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For more comprehensive tests such as EtG, enhancements, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair exclusively mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (including facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning concerns the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s workflow. This step checks that the sample remains sealed and is properly shipped, allocates a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and concludes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. A secondary confirmation is mandatory for any samples preliminarily positive in Screening.
When a sample tests positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid testing), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive finding from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positive results are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The benefits of hair follicle testing far outweigh traditional urine tests in Tradesville, SC. Hair tests offer superior accuracy and reliability, catching drug use over longer periods compared to urine tests, which are limited by shorter detection windows. The accuracy and comprehensive results provided by hair follicle testing are unmatched, making it the preferred choice for many employers and institutions.
With hair follicle testing in Tradesville, SC, the extended detection window is a distinct advantage. Covering up to a 90-day period, hair tests enable employers to see a wider picture of a candidate or employee's history. This extended window helps in identifying consistent patterns and sporadic use alike, giving a detailed view of an individual's substance use habits over time.
In Tradesville, SC, hair follicle tests are favored for their tamper-resistant nature. It significantly reduces chances of sample tampering or cheating, ensuring reliability. This method provides unquestionable results, making it a preferred choice for employers and legal entities looking for dependable drug testing solutions that safeguard against manipulation.
In Tradesville, SC, the convenience of nationwide and local testing locations provided by Accredited Drug Testing ensures swift and hassle-free access to services. With centers in all cities nationwide, obtaining a hair drug test becomes a straightforward process, offering ease to individuals and employers alike.
In Tradesville, SC, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results maintain the privacy of individuals while being user-friendly. This simplicity and discretion address potential concerns, making the testing process seamless and respectful of personal privacy.
Tradesville, SC businesses benefit from hair follicle testing's affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing, ensuring excellent value. Rapid test results offer peace of mind and quick decision-making for companies, regardless of size, enhancing their operational efficiency.
Tradesville, SC boasts the fast, accurate, and reliable results of hair follicle drug tests. These tests are highly precise, efficiently detecting substances even when used infrequently or in small amounts. When it comes to speed and accuracy, hair tests ensure that the results are trustworthy and reflective of an individual's true substance use patterns, providing clear insights quickly.
Employers in Tradesville, SC find peace of mind and compliance with workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. It mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace safety by ensuring an accurate and thorough assessment of employee substance use, supporting a controlled and secure work environment.
