Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair effectively chronicizes a longer-term usage history of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collected proximate to the scalp, hair can offer a detection range extending up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, less prone to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or when testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be taken. The term 'head hair' references scalp hair exclusively. 'Body hair' denotes all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This phase involves ensuring the sample was sealed and sent properly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening addresses a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Screening is economical for ruling out drug use in most samples; however, a favorable screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.
Presumptively positive samples in the Screening phase lead to additional hair being extracted from the original specimen for preparation in the Extraction phase. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid); hence, hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized 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 often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the test actually evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing stands out in Bagwell, TX, due to its superiority over urine testing. While urine tests are common, hair tests offer longer detection periods, accurate result readings, and enhanced reliability. Those needing a dependable drug screening method benefit from hair testing's breadth in results, providing insights that are simply unattainable with urine analysis.
In Bagwell, TX, the extended detection capability of hair follicle tests, lasting up to 90 days, provides a deep understanding of an individual's substance history. This capability ensures that employers can assess the historical patterns of usage among employees or candidates, offering insights that traditional methods might miss, thus reinforcing workplace safety.
The resilience against tampering makes hair follicle tests a preferred choice in Bagwell, TX. This method significantly diminishes the chances of sample manipulation, ensuring that the results remain robust and trustworthy. The integrity of hair tests delivers confidence in the results, offering indisputable evidence of substance use.
With a network that spans nationwide, including Bagwell, TX, individuals have convenient access to hair follicle testing. The ease of finding local centers simplifies the testing process, allowing for quick and trouble-free access to essential drug screening services. Eliminate the hassle with easy proximity to testing locations.
The process in Bagwell, TX, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step ensures privacy and comfort, alleviating common privacy concerns. The ease with which clients interact with the testing system enables a stress-free and discreet experience.
Organizations in Bagwell, TX, can benefit from affordable testing prices while enjoying rapid results. Our competitive pricing coupled with fast turnaround times guarantees that businesses receive excellent value, catering to those managing tight budgets without compromising on quality or efficiency.
In Bagwell, TX, the precision of hair follicle tests ensures reliable drug detection. Results are not only quick but provide an unmatched level of accuracy, making them an excellent choice for those needing comprehensive insights into substance use. This testing method is distinguished for its rapid and trustworthy results, addressing the need for reliability in drug assessments.
Employers in Bagwell, TX, achieve peace of mind through hair follicle testing. It ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal complications and cultivating a safer work environment. By integrating this testing method, businesses maintain compliance and protect against drug-related workplace incidents.
