Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers capture biomarkers within the growing strand, offering a long-term record of substance use. When hair is taken near the scalp, it supplies up to a roughly 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. The sample is easy to gather, hard to alter, and convenient for transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests involving EtG, additional analyses, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is favored. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome encompasses four chief stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample undergoes initial processing within a lab's system. This phase entails verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not already supplied through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach for excluding drug usage for most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require another step for secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva tests), thereby making hair drug testing the most complex methodology to undertake.
Confirming any positive screening results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
The merits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: While generally termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually conducted on the strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Compared to traditional urine testing, hair follicle testing in Clear Lake, SD, stands out for its enhanced detection capabilities. It provides superior accuracy and reliability, uncovering substance use that urine tests might miss. Hair testing’s non-intrusive collection process further adds convenience to its impressive benefits.
Employers appreciate the longer detection window of hair tests, which can capture a 90-day substance use history. This far exceeds urine tests' typical duration and provides a more comprehensive overview, thus keeping workplaces safer from substance abuse.
One of the most significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, allowing it to track substance use for up to 90 days. In Clear Lake, SD, this offers employers and individuals a thorough review of drug use history, far beyond the short-term limitations of urine tests.
By analyzing hair samples, employers can gain insights into long-term substance habits, empowering them to make informed hiring and retention decisions. This comprehensive approach ensures a safer and more reliable assessment process.
Hair follicle testing in Clear Lake, SD, is renowned for its resistance to tampering, providing results that are both reliable and free from manipulation. The nature of hair testing makes it virtually immune to adulteration, unlike urine tests, where samples can be easily contaminated.
With hair testing, employers can trust the authenticity of the results, knowing they reflect a true and accurate picture of an individual’s substance use history. This certainty enhances the integrity of drug testing protocols, offering assured peace of mind.
Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network of testing centers assures the people of Clear Lake, SD, convenient access to reliable services, no matter where they are. With locations nationwide, scheduling and completing a hair follicle test is streamlined, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Whether locally or across different states, our testing centers provide quick and easy solutions, making it simple for individuals and businesses to conduct necessary testing and receive results without unnecessary delays or complications.
The process of ordering and receiving a hair follicle drug test in Clear Lake, SD, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Individuals can expect a smooth, discreet process from start to finish, addressing any concerns regarding privacy or ease of use.
With a focus on confidentiality, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that all test-related information remains secure, providing participants peace of mind that their personal and sensitive data is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle tests in Clear Lake, SD, combined with fast turnaround times, providing remarkable value to both small and large businesses. Clients benefit from affordable rates without sacrificing the quality and reliability of the testing process.
Our cost-effective solutions are paired with prompt outcomes, ensuring that businesses receive the results swiftly, helping them make timely decisions. This affordable efficiency provides a crucial edge in maintaining a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled speed and precision, making them a top choice for those requiring accurate detection of substance use in Clear Lake, SD. The method swiftly delivers reliable results, ensuring that any substance use is accurately identified, providing peace of mind to employers and individuals.
Emphasizing high accuracy, hair testing is effective at catching even minute traces of substance use, making it the preferred option over other testing methods. This accuracy reduces false positives and negatives, giving a true picture of an individual’s substance use history.
For employers in Clear Lake, SD, hair follicle testing ensures continued compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety, offering significant peace of mind to business owners concerned about maintaining a healthy, substance-free environment.
The indisputable accuracy and tamper-resistant characteristics of hair testing underscore its value as an essential tool for employers aiming to uphold stringent substance control policies, thus enhancing overall workplace community trust and efficiency.
