Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective measure for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strands. When collected near the scalp, a hair sample can provide an alcohol and drug detection timeline of up to 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) from the closest point to the scalp will yield about 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is preferred. It is advisable to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean hair from the scalp only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a drug test result in a laboratory setting include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample undergoes preliminary processing into the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening phase performs a quick initial check for substance abuse. While this is an economical approach for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screens must be confirmed for court admissibility. If any samples return presumptively positive results during Screening, they necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than those found with other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of all positive screening outcomes takes place using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are washed as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Cumberland City, TN, the former offers superior detection capabilities. Hair testing boasts a longer detection period and is less susceptible to manipulation. Unlike urine tests, hair samples provide a more reliable and comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history, ensuring that employers receive the most accurate information available.
Hair follicle testing is lauded in Cumberland City, TN, for its extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This feature is invaluable for employers, providing a thorough overview of a subject's substance history. By analyzing hair samples, organizations gain insights into long-term consumption patterns, crucial for making informed hiring or disciplinary decisions.
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution for drug testing in Cumberland City, TN. The method significantly decreases the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain accurate and beyond reproach. This reliability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of drug testing programs, providing dependable outcomes that stakeholders can trust.
With convenient testing centers available nationwide, including in Cumberland City, TN, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. These locations provide quick, efficient, and hassle-free testing, ensuring that individuals and businesses alike can depend on seamless service, wherever they are in the country.
In Cumberland City, TN, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to collecting and receiving results, the procedure prioritizes user privacy and ease. This straightforward approach addresses any concerns regarding discretion and simplicity, making the testing experience comfortable and stress-free.
Competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times reflect the value of our services in Cumberland City, TN. Hair follicle drug testing offers affordability without compromising quality, ensuring quick results at excellent prices. Organizations of all sizes benefit from our cost-effective solutions, balancing budget constraints with the need for reliable testing.
In Cumberland City, TN, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their precision and rapid processing times. Known for their high accuracy, these tests detect substance use with unmatched reliability. Whether it's for pre-employment screenings or routine checks, the swift and precise results from hair testing provide confidence and clarity, making them an essential tool for employers and authorities.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Cumberland City, TN, assures employers of compliance with their drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing overall safety. By integrating these tests into their protocols, businesses gain peace of mind, knowing they're upholding the highest standards of workplace responsibility and care.
