Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as a robust instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug intake by retaining biomarkers in its strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a 3-month detection window for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, it is suggested to collect 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. Should scalp hair not be available, a similar volume of body hair may be obtained. In the context of head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning denotes the first handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This involves checking the sample’s seal and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though it’s a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug consumption in most cases, a positive screening result needs verification for legal validity. Any samples presumed positive during screening undergo a secondary validation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is pulled from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing the most sophisticated methodology to implement.
Any positive result from screening undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed beforehand as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the whole lab process is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hunter, TN. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can identify drug use over an extended period, reducing the chances of false negatives and providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.
Extended Detection Window in Hunter, TN. Hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive assessment of drug use history, detecting substances for up to 90 days. This extended window is especially beneficial for employers who require a detailed view of an applicant or employee's potential drug use, enabling better-informed hiring and retention decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hunter, TN. Hair follicle tests greatly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results are reliable and unquestionable. By utilizing hair samples, this method minimizes fraudulent activities that are often associated with traditional urine tests, such as substitution or dilution.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Hunter, TN. Our testing network offers unparalleled convenience with numerous nationwide centers available, including local options in Hunter. This ensures quick and easy access to testing services, minimizing delays and facilitating a hassle-free testing experience for all parties involved.
Simple, Confidential Process in Hunter, TN. Our testing process is designed to be simple and maintain confidentiality, ensuring ease of use for every participant. From ordering the test to obtaining the results, we prioritize privacy and aim to deliver a seamless experience that respects the sensitive nature of drug testing.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hunter, TN. We offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for our hair follicle testing services. Providing excellent value, our cost-effective solutions ensure businesses of all sizes can benefit from reliable drug testing without exceeding their budgets.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hunter, TN. Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and speed. With its ability to detect a wide range of substances, it provides high accuracy in identifying drug use. This method significantly delivers results that individuals and employers can trust, making it an indispensable tool for substance detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hunter, TN. Implementing hair follicle testing helps workplaces maintain compliance with drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety by ensuring that employees adhere to company standards, providing peace of mind for employers and a safer working environment.
