Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments have become recognized as an effective method for identifying both drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands’ fibers during growth. When sampled near the scalp, the hair can offer an approximate tracing window of up to three months for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
An ideal sample size of 1.5 inches with around 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) collected nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, fitting for analysis and confirmation purposes. For EtG enhancements and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is lacking, an equal volume of body hair may be taken. The term head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test in the laboratory encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the initial task is integrating a sample into the laboratory's system. This process includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information that an electronic chain of custody system does not provide.
Screening entails a swift preliminary test for identifying drugs of abuse. Even though Screening is a budget-friendly approach for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening do necessitate a confirmatory follow-up.
In instances where a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for preparation in the Extraction process. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lesser concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thereby making hair drug testing challenging to execute.
The Confirmation for any positive Screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Alexandria, SD, hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in several key areas, including detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are common, hair testing offers a significant advantage in uncovering substance use over a longer period.
Hair testing's robust detection capabilities allow for greater insight into an individual's drug use history compared to the typically shorter detection window of urine tests. Employers often choose hair testing for its thoroughness and reliability.
Hair follicle drug testing in Alexandria, SD, is invaluable for its extended detection window of up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history. This lengthened detection period provides employers with greater visibility into an applicant or employee's past behaviors.
The ability of hair tests to reveal drug use over several months gives insight that no other testing method provides, allowing employers to make informed decisions based on a full picture of an individual's habits.
In Alexandria, SD, hair follicle testing strategies greatly minimize the possibility of tampering, giving unmistakable results. Such tests are rigorously designed to resist manipulation, ensuring that results are genuine and dependable.
The assurance that hair samples are challenging to adulterate underscores the test’s integrity. Organizations seeking unparalleled reliability can confidently rely on hair tests knowing the risk of sample adulteration is nearly nonexistent.
With convenient nationwide and local testing facilities, access to hair follicle drug tests in Alexandria, SD, is both quick and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing has designed its services to cover every city nationwide, including Alexandria.
Our expansive network ensures that testing is available just around the corner, allowing for effortless coordination and scheduling. Wherever you are in Alexandria, a testing site is readily accessible, making the entire process seamless.
The procedure for obtaining hair follicle testing in Alexandria, SD, is both simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns users might have. Accredited Drug Testing emphasizes a streamlined approach to test orders and results.
Individuals can be assured of a process that respects their privacy while ensuring ease of use in both testing and receiving results. This confidential protocol helps users carry out tests without undue stress or complexity.
In Alexandria, SD, organizations find hair follicle testing’s affordable pricing and rapid turnaround beneficial. Our competitive rates help businesses of all sizes maintain their budgets without sacrificing quality results.
The swift processing time for hair tests delivers results promptly, offering significant value and enhancing operational efficiency. Companies appreciate the balance between cost-effectiveness and service excellence.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Alexandria, SD, consistently impress users. These tests provide excellent accuracy in detecting substance usage, delivering fast and trustworthy results. Offering a powerful tool for employers and individuals alike, these tests leave little room for error.
Employers rely on the swift and precise results from hair follicle tests to make informed decisions about candidates or current employees. The high accuracy of these tests ensures that no substance use is overlooked, enhancing the reliability of organizational operations.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Alexandria, SD, helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal concerns and boosting safety. Hair testing offers a reliable means of ensuring employees adhere to established standards.
Employers gain peace of mind, knowing that hair testing can protect their interests and maintain a safe, legally compliant workplace environment, thanks to its precise and reliable results.
