Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
Securing a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximating a #2 pencil thickness) nearest to the head will yield 100mg of hair, a perfect quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, it's advised to obtain 150mg of the sample. We recommend measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not present, a similar amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we're specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in processing a laboratory drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves introducing a sample into the lab's system. It involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial screening for drugs of abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires verification to be acceptable in court. Any samples considered positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
When a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample set and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to conduct.
Positive results from screening are verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Belmont, TX revolves around superior detection and reliability. Hair testing provides a more comprehensive overview of drug use patterns compared to urine tests. This method ensures higher detection accuracy, making it invaluable for settings that demand stringent drug policies.
Extended Detection Window in Belmont, TX sets hair follicle evaluations apart. By detecting drug use over an extended duration of up to 90 days, employers receive detailed insights into an individual's substance use history. This extended capability provides a more complete view, critical for employment decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Belmont, TX is a significant advantage. Hair follicle tests are designed to minimize tampering, ensuring authenticity. The risk of adulteration common in other tests is sharply reduced, providing results that are trustworthy and definitive.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Belmont, TX provide easy access. With numerous centers nationwide, obtaining tests efficiently becomes a reality. Local sites ensure the testing process is accessible and hassle-free for all clients in need.
Simple, Confidential Process in Belmont, TX ensures users have a hassle-free experience. The testing process is designed to be user-friendly and confidential, addressing concerns around privacy and ease of completion, comforting those undergoing testing.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Belmont, TX set a standard for value. With competitive rates and swift result delivery, businesses of all sizes reap the benefits. This cost-effectiveness does not compromise on quality, ensuring peace of mind for stakeholders.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Belmont, TX provide an edge in substance detection. The hair follicle test's precision is unmatched, offering highly accurate determinations of drug usage. This method surpasses traditional tests in speed and certainty, enhancing trust within the testing process.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Belmont, TX stems from the use of hair follicle testing. This method helps enforce drug-free policies, cutting legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. Employers achieve peace of mind knowing compliance is upheld.