Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a long-term history by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strands. When gathered close to the scalp, it can offer up to around a 3-month detection window for substances. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A sample of 1.5 inches, about 200 strands close to the scalp (approximately the size of a #2 pencil), yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond 10, 150mg is suggested. It’s advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. Head hair refers to only scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (beard, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the first handling of a sample in a lab system. This involves making sure the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry if not previously done by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is the initial rapid check for drug abuse. Though Screening provides a cost-effective way to dismiss drug use in most samples, any positive screen needs confirmation to be valid in legal situations. Any samples presumed positive in Screening need a further confirmation check.
Should a sample be presumed positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample and set up for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to perform.
A confirmation of any positive screening result is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The whole process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Choose Hair Follicle Tests Over Urine Testing in Albert, TX? Hair follicle testing offers advantages over traditional urine tests, delivering heightened detection accuracy and reliability. The superior sensitivity of hair analysis ensures that substance use is not overlooked, providing a more comprehensive understanding of an individual’s drug history.
Extended Detection Window in Albert, TX Hair follicle tests provide insight into drug use spanning up to 90 days, offering employers a detailed view of an individual’s substance history. This extended window is crucial in evaluating long-term behavior rather than immediate consumption, providing a comprehensive substance use overview.
In Albert, TX, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests minimizes the risk of sample tampering and adulteration. This robust testing method assures employers and legal professionals of the authenticity and reliability of the results, eliminating doubts surrounding the sample’s integrity.
Accredited Drug Testing has convenient nationwide locations, including accessible centers in Albert, TX, offering rapid and effective testing services. This network ensures that regardless of location, individuals and businesses receive timely and efficient drug testing solutions without hassle.
In Albert, TX, the process of ordering, undergoing, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is both simple and confidential. Designed to protect privacy and ease of use, the journey from initial testing to final results is streamlined to ensure client comfort and discretion throughout.
Our services in Albert, TX are renowned for their affordable pricing and swift turnaround. We emphasize competitive rates and efficient processing times, offering excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Companies can confidently rely on our quick services without compromising on quality or cost-effectiveness.
Hair follicle drug tests in Albert, TX stand out due to their quick and reliable outcomes. Speed and precision characterize this testing method, making it a preferred choice for employers and professionals. Unlike other testing procedures, hair analysis swiftly delivers accurate insights, ensuring that any trace of substance use is promptly detected and reported.
Adopting hair follicle testing in Albert, TX ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. Employers can bolster compliance while minimizing legal liabilities, fostering a safe and productive work environment. Such assurance brings peace of mind, knowing that staff members are in line with organizational standards.
