Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bolivar, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust diagnostic approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers within hair strands capture biomarkers, providing a comprehensive overview of usage over time. Taking a sample near the scalp offers an insight into drug and alcohol presence within roughly a three-month period. Collecting samples is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and transportation is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, roughly the size of a #2 pencil, containing around 200 strands or 100mg of hair, constitutes the optimal quantity for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional evaluations, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advised to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. In instances where scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair may be taken. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug testing comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial stage where samples are integrated into a lab's system. This process includes checking the sample's seal and shipment accuracy, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entries that an electronic chain of custody might lack.

Screening provides a preliminary analysis to identify drugs of abuse. While it offers a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most cases, a positive Screening result requires further validation to be legally admissible. Hence, samples showing a positive presumption during Screening must undergo subsequent verification.

Should a sample yield a positive presumption in the Screening phase, the next step is to extract more hair from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at markedly lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid testing. As such, hair drug analysis is acknowledged as the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result obtained during Screening is facilitated by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all samples showing presumptive positives undergo a washing process as needed. This comprehensive laboratory methodology, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is subject to review in accordance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use extending up to 90 days, contrasted with urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: The difficulty involved in evading a hair drug test enhances the accuracy of its results.
• Documentation of historical data: It allows for the mapping of drug usage patterns over a duration, beyond recent activities.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become identifiable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur greater costs compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually conducted on the hair strand itself, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bolivar, TN

Hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine ones in crucial areas, particularly in detection accuracy and avoidance of adulteration. People in Bolivar, TN, seeking dependable results benefit greatly from hair testing. This method reveals a more comprehensive usage history than the brief window urine tests provide, aiding better decision-making for employers.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bolivar, TN

One of the main advantages of hair follicle testing in Bolivar, TN, is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This not only equips employers with a detailed view of an employee's substance use history but also supports informed decisions about hiring and ongoing employment, ensuring a safe and productive workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bolivar, TN

Hair follicle tests in Bolivar, TN, present a robust approach by minimizing sample adulteration risks. Due to the nature and process of hair collection, tampering becomes substantially harder, ensuring results are both reliable and incontrovertible, instilling confidence in the test outcomes for employees and employers alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bolivar, TN

With a broad network of testing centers, both nationwide and locally in Bolivar, TN, accessing hair follicle drug tests is seamless and efficient. This convenience optimizes the testing process, providing users with quick service and easy access without the traditional testing difficulties.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bolivar, TN

The hair follicle testing procedure in Bolivar, TN, is designed to be straightforward, ensuring user confidentiality and ease. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the process emphasizes privacy, giving assurance to those concerned about discretion and the handling of personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bolivar, TN

With competitive pricing and swift result delivery, hair follicle testing in Bolivar, TN, offers excellent value, matching employers' needs regardless of company size. This affordability, combined with rapid turnaround times, empowers businesses to uphold drug-free policies effectively without straining operational budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bolivar, TN

The precision and reliability of hair follicle drug tests stand out for their ability to highlight even minute traces of substance use. Offering results with exceptional accuracy, these tests ensure employers in Bolivar, TN, receive dependable information. The speed with which hair testing delivers these outcomes further enhances its credibility as a trustworthy option.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bolivar, TN

For employers in Bolivar, TN, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, crucial for maintaining safety and legal compliance. By reducing risks associated with workplace substance use, hair testing offers reassurance and peace of mind, fostering an environment prioritizing health and safety.

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