Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. When acquired near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol usage for about three months. Collection is simple, modification is somewhat challenging, and shipment is straightforward.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests above 10 panels, it is advised to secure 150mg of the specimen. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample’s initial processing into a laboratory’s system, such as ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-effective strategy to rule out drug consumption on most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be accepted in court. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is deemed presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for Extraction. In this stage, drug extraction from hair occurs at a lower concentration compared to methods like urine or oral fluid analysis, making hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The whole process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When choosing between hair follicle and urine tests in Bristol, TX, hair tests emerge as superior. They offer enhanced detection accuracy, delivering a broader insight into an individual's drug use history, whereas urine tests only reveal recent usage. Hair testing proves to be a more reliable method and often uncovers concealed substance use, making it a preferred choice for businesses aiming for comprehensive evaluation.
Employers in Bristol, TX benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, capturing drug use over 90 days. This broad scope provides a clearer understanding of an individual's substance habits, surpassing the short detection period of urine tests. Hair testing ensures a comprehensive overview, fostering informed decisions and promoting a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing in Bristol, TX offers a tamper-resistant technique, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures the results are reliable and uninfluenced, providing trustworthy data for employers. Such security is unmatched by other methods, establishing hair tests as a robust option for accurate substance use detection.
The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including local options in Bristol, TX, eliminates the hassle and delay in accessing drug testing services. With Accredited Drug Testing, individuals and businesses benefit from quick and straightforward access to testing, facilitated by widespread locations that streamline the entire testing process.
Accredited Drug Testing in Bristol, TX simplifies the process with a confidential and straightforward testing procedure. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results is seamless, ensuring privacy at every step, addressing any concerns about confidentiality, and providing a user-friendly experience throughout the drug testing journey.
Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround are hallmarks of Accredited Drug Testing in Bristol, TX. Competitive pricing makes quality testing accessible for companies of any size, while quick results ensure businesses can make timely decisions with confidence, knowing they have received excellent value.
Hair follicle testing in Bristol, TX offers fast, reliable, and precise results. This method ensures high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing timely and trustworthy data. Labs prioritize precision, ensuring each test reflects true substance history, making it invaluable for those needing timely information about potential drug use.
In Bristol, TX, hair follicle testing ensures employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly cutting legal risks and enhancing safety standards. With accuracy and reliability, hair testing offers peace of mind, allowing businesses to maintain safe, compliant, and productive environments with minimal legal concerns, benefitting all stakeholder interests.
