Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term insight into alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When hair samples are taken from the region closest to the scalp, they can provide a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair samples is straightforward, has a low susceptibility to tampering, and can be transported with ease.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirming results. For EtG testing, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. The term head hair specifically refers to hair from the scalp, while body hair encompasses other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug testing involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and entering any extra data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result during this stage must be confirmed to be valid for legal purposes. Specimens identified as having possible positive findings in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For specimens indicating a possible positive in the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex method to implement.
Confirmatory analysis of any positive Screening result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all samples presumed positive undergo necessary washing. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Anna, TX, hair follicle testing often surpasses urine testing due to its enhanced detection capabilities. While urine tests may cover recent use, hair testing unveils a broader history of drug use, up to 90 days.
Employers in Anna, TX, choosing hair testing over urine tests benefit from a more reliable detection method, reducing the risks of substance use going unnoticed, thus ensuring a safer work environment.
Hair follicle testing in Anna, TX, excels with an extended detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s past substance use.
This prolonged detection period offered by hair follicle tests provides employers in Anna, TX, with invaluable insights into an individual’s lifestyle choices, which supports informed decision-making in hiring.
In Anna, TX, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests offers a significant advantage over other testing methods, ensuring more reliable results less prone to manipulation.
The robustness of hair testing in Anna, TX, minimizes the chances of sample adulteration, providing accurate and unquestionable outcomes, which enhances the credibility of drug testing procedures.
Anna, TX, benefits from convenient local and nationwide testing centers, streamlining access to Accredited Drug Testing’s hair follicle testing services with ease and minimal hassle.
Our strategically located centers in Anna, TX, enable rapid service delivery, ensuring that drug testing is both accessible and efficient for individuals and companies alike.
Our process in Anna, TX, ensures simplicity and confidentiality throughout the hair follicle testing procedure, addressing privacy concerns effectively while maintaining ease of use.
Ordering and receiving hair follicle test results in Anna, TX, is designed to be straightforward and secure, ensuring that individuals and employers find the process stress-free and discreet.
Accredited Drug Testing’s hair follicle testing in Anna, TX, offers competitive pricing with rapid result turnaround times, catering to companies of various sizes with excellent value.
In Anna, TX, our affordable hair testing services ensure companies can maintain drug-free environments without financial strain, benefiting from swift and cost-effective solutions.
In Anna, TX, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and accuracy. The precision in detecting substance use sets these tests apart, making them a reliable option for accurate assessment of drug history.
Employers in Anna, TX, trust hair follicle tests for their rapid and dependable results, offering peace of mind with each assessment. These tests provide consistent accuracy, ensuring confidence in workplace safety measures.
For employers in Anna, TX, hair follicle testing aligns perfectly with drug-free workplace compliance, reducing potential legal challenges and strengthening workplace safety standards.
Utilizing hair testing, employers in Anna, TX, can confidently uphold zero-tolerance substance policies, thus enhancing overall workplace security and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.
