Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is sampled close to the scalp, it offers a detection period of roughly 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair sample collection is straightforward, tampering poses a challenge, and transport is hassle-free.
A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and containing around 200 strands (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screenings and verifications. For EtG analyses, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key stages in the laboratory evaluation of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s record system. This phase involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and transportation, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishing any extra data processing lacking in an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly means to exclude drug usage in most cases, a positive screen must be verified for courtroom acceptance. Samples showing a presumptive positive outcome in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
In instances of a presumptive positive outcome in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. This process isolates drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or saliva), which explains the complexity of hair drug screenings.
Confirmation of any positive result from screenings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation, if deemed necessary. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment targets the hair strand rather than the follicle underneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Westminster, SC, completely surpasses traditional urine tests. Offering a longer detection window, it unveils substance use history more thoroughly. Urine tests, with their short detection periods, pale in comparison. Hair analysis captures a much wider spectrum of use, providing superior accuracy in scrutinizing users' histories.
In Westminster, SC, hair follicle tests offer a significant advantage with their extended detection window. Capable of revealing drug use for up to 90 days, they provide employers with essential insights into an individual's substance history. This long-term detection capability ensures a comprehensive understanding of one's past drug use.
Hair follicle screening in Westminster, SC, ensures tamper-resistant results. Unlike other methods, these tests significantly minimize risks of sample adulteration. Such robust testing offers reliability, diminished manipulation prospects, and delivers authoritative and unquestionable findings, reinforcing strict standards in drug testing.
Enjoy the convenience of nationwide drug testing in Westminster, SC. Our testing centers are strategically located, ensuring you quick and uncomplicated access to top-notch services. No matter where you are, quality testing is merely a step away, saving both your time and effort in managing testing needs.
The process of hair follicle testing in Westminster, SC, is simplified yet confidential. Ordering and receiving results are handled with utmost discretion, ensuring privacy at each step. This user-friendly approach not only meets needs but also guarantees ease of use without compromising privacy concerns.
Westminster, SC, offers competitive and value-driven hair follicle testing, ensuring affordability without sacrificing quality. Our pricing structures accommodate both small and large employers, offering quick, reliable results that support businesses' peace of mind and operational dependability for all spectrums.
For those seeking fast, accurate, and reliable substance analysis in Westminster, SC, hair follicle tests stand out. These tests aren't just speedy in processing, but they also boast impressive precision, making them a leader in identifying substance traces. Their effectiveness in accurately determining drug use is unparalleled, ensuring that each test result is trustworthy.
Employers in Westminster, SC, gain immense peace of mind through hair follicle testing due to its contribution to drug-free policies. Compliance is paramount, and this method reduces legal risks while enhancing workplace safety. Secure testing reinforces confidence for employers, ensuring a safer, compliant working environment.
