Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term archive of intoxicants by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the continuously growing strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can unveil a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil’s diameter) next to the scalp, offers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirming tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Usage of a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Scalp hair specifically refers to hair on the head. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The procedural steps in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This phase guarantees the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any outstanding data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. As a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples provisionally positive in Screening mandate further confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), heightening the complexity of hair drug screening procedure.
Confirmations of positive screens go through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any samples showing presumptive positives undergo wash steps before confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite common reference as "hair follicle tests", the test actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Bracken, TX, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in crucial ways. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, uncovering drug use that urine tests might miss. The broader detection window and resistance to tampering make hair tests a superior choice, especially for employers valuing comprehensive substance use assessment over short-term detection offered by urine tests.
In Bracken, TX, the impressive detection window of hair follicle testing, reaching up to 90 days, sets it apart. This extended period allows employers to obtain a thorough insight into a subject's substance use history, surpassing the limited timeframe of urine tests. By capturing long-term drug use, employers can make more informed decisions about prospective or current employees' behaviors.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Bracken, TX, significantly diminishes the risk of sample adulteration. With a collection process that is closely monitored, the reliability and integrity of the results are maintained, ensuring that the findings are both trustworthy and credible. This robustness underscores the test's superiority in providing unquestionable results.
In Bracken, TX, our extensive network of nationwide testing locations offers unparalleled convenience. These facilities ensure quick and easy access to testing services, providing a hassle-free experience. Local and nationwide testing centers allow individuals and businesses to readily find a location that suits their needs, streamlining the testing process for everyone involved.
In Bracken, TX, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to collecting samples and receiving results, the process prioritizes privacy and ease of use. This streamlined approach ensures that individuals and organizations can rely on a trustworthy system that respects personal security while delivering accurate results efficiently.
Hair follicle testing in Bracken, TX, boasts affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. These competitive pricing structures make the testing accessible to businesses of all sizes. Combined with fast result delivery, the service offers both excellent value and peace of mind, allowing for informed decision-making without breaking the budget.
Hair follicle drug tests in Bracken, TX, offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are adept at identifying substance use with high precision, ensuring dependable outcomes. The speed at which results are delivered enhances the credibility and usefulness of hair testing, allowing for quick decision-making based on the comprehensive data obtained from the analysis.
Employers in Bracken, TX, can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, businesses reduce legal risks and enhance the safety of their work environment. Utilizing hair tests fortifies a company's commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace, contributing to a culture of responsibility and conscientiousness.
