Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a valuable means to uncover drug and alcohol consumption. By trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft, it offers a detailed timeline of substance use. Hair trimmed close to the scalp can yield a detection scope for up to roughly three months. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) taken nearest the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is considered the best quantity for both initial screening and confirmation phases. For EtG, additional testing, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, collecting 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s balance. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term 'head hair' refers solely to scalp hair. 'Body hair' encompasses other types (such as facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test consists of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial entry of a specimen into the lab’s system, ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, creating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any leftover data entry not captured by an electronic custody system.
Screening constitutes the initial rapid examination for substance abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, any positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples flagged as tentatively positive in Screening must undergo a follow-up confirmation.
For samples tentatively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This involves isolating drugs from hair at lower concentrations compared to alternative methods like urine or saliva analysis, underlining hair drug testing’s complexity.
Confirmation of a positive screen is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed tentatively positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. Each stage from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair norms and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Clinton, TN: Hair follicle testing provides significant advantages over traditional urine analysis. Not only does it offer superior detection accuracy, but it also yields more reliable outcomes. This method is particularly favored by employers and institutions in Clinton seeking thorough drug use assessments, setting a higher standard compared to urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Clinton, TN: Hair follicle testing spans an impressive detection period, covering up to 90 days, unlike more limited approaches. This grants employers a thorough overview of an individual’s substance use history, offering a comprehensive analysis of past drug consumption, vital for informed decision-making in Clinton.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Clinton, TN: One key benefit of hair follicle tests is their resilience against tampering. They significantly diminish the chances of sample adulteration, ensuring that the results are trustworthy. For those in Clinton seeking incontrovertible evidence of substance use, this method delivers unmatched reliability.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Clinton, TN: Our nationwide centers bring unmatched convenience, making drug testing services readily accessible. Whether you're seeking local facilities in Clinton or elsewhere, our expansive network ensures that testing is straightforward, timely, and hassle-free.
Simple, Confidential Process in Clinton, TN: At every stage, from ordering to testing and receiving results, we assure a straightforward and confidential approach. This seamless process in Clinton guarantees user privacy and simplicity, allaying any concerns about confidentiality and ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Clinton, TN: We pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing structures coupled with rapid result delivery. These features provide exceptional value to businesses of any size in Clinton, ensuring they receive quality service without unnecessary delays.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Clinton, TN: Hair follicle drug tests boast unmatched precision and speed in detecting substance use. Unlike traditional methods, these tests offer higher accuracy, ensuring that any drug consumption is reliably identified. With quick processing times, individuals and employers in Clinton can depend on these tests for efficient resolutions.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Clinton, TN: Using hair follicle testing supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies. It mitigates potential legal liabilities and enhances workplace security, providing companies with a reliable assessment tool to maintain a safe and compliant environment in Clinton.
