Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective approach for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed record of alcohol and other drugs by trapping indicators within the fibers of its growing strands. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can reveal substance use for up to about a 3-month period in terms of alcohol and other drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, tampering is somewhat challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A 1.5-inch segment composed of roughly 200 hair strands, comparable to a #2 pencil's size, taken closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the recommended quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or evaluations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to measure the hair specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. The reference to head hair specifically means scalp hair only. Body hair indicates all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This process confirms that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a quick preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in the bulk of samples, any positive indication requires confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that present positive in Screening need a further verification step.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is collected from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During this stage, drugs are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex technique.
Confirmation of any positive screening result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples receive a washing before Confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation follows the guidelines of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 standards for accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the assessment actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gladeville, TN is clear when examining detection capabilities. Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests with its superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests offer up to 90 days of detection, providing employers with a more reliable overview of substance use, minimizing the chance of recent use being underestimated.
The Extended Detection Window in Gladeville, TN offered by hair follicle testing is a notable advantage. Where urine tests may miss patterns due to short detection timelines, hair tests provide up to 90 days of insight. This enables employers to thoroughly assess the past substance habits of potential or current employees, fostering a transparent environment.
Tamper-resistant testing methods used in Gladeville, TN offer a robust approach to drug testing. Hair follicle tests significantly lower the risk of sample tampering. Given their method of collection and analysis, they deliver unquestionable results that stand up to scrutiny, ensuring that integrity and accuracy remain at the forefront of substance testing.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Gladeville, TN ensure accessibility. Our extensive network of centers makes it straightforward for individuals to undergo testing with ease. Whether needing an immediate test or scheduling at your convenience, we're positioned to accommodate quick and efficient service delivery with minimal hassle.
The Simple, Confidential Process in Gladeville, TN is designed with privacy at its core. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes ease of use and confidentiality. Clients can trust that their information is handled discreetly, streamlining what can sometimes be an anxious process into a straightforward experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gladeville, TN are key benefits of choosing our hair testing services. Our competitive pricing structures ensure excellent value, while quick turnaround times mean results are returned promptly, allowing companies to make informed decisions without delay.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Gladeville, TN can be attributed to hair follicle drug tests. These tests are renowned for their precision and rapidity, ensuring substances are detected with unmatched accuracy. Hair testing captures a comprehensive timeline of drug use, offering results that instill confidence in both individuals and organizations seeking transparent substance use histories.
Compliance and Peace of Mind are paramount for employers in Gladeville, TN. Utilizing hair follicle testing can affirm adherence to drug-free workplace policies, alleviating legal concerns and promoting workplace safety. By employing this method, employers shield their businesses from potential liabilities associated with substance use in the workplace.