Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can provide a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the shaft of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drug usage. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of about 200 strands (approximately the equivalent of a #2 pencil), cut closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for evaluation and verification. For EtG, supplemental testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be substituted. When we mention head hair, it specifically relates to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The main steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the sample's initial integration into the laboratory's system. This step ensures the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry that's not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive screen result must undergo confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.
When a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from the hair at a lower concentration than in other methods (like urine or saliva), rendering hair drug testing a more complex technique to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screen outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Any samples detected as presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation, if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to conventional urine tests in Capps Switch, TX, the enhanced detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing are clear.
Employers gain a deeper understanding of an individual's substance history within months, unlike urine tests which only cover a brief period.
The robustness of hair testing makes it the preferred choice for uncovering long-term drug use, enhancing trust in the results obtained.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Capps Switch, TX, is a significant advantage, providing a look-back period of up to 90 days.
This allows employers a thorough review of an employee's substance use history, giving them comprehensive data for informed decision-making.
Unlike urine tests, which capture short-term substance use, hair analysis broadens the retrospective view, creating a fuller picture.
Hair follicle testing in Capps Switch, TX, offers a tamper-resistant approach, drastically reducing the possibility of sample adulteration.
With samples difficult to manipulate compared to urine, the results obtained remain consistent and trusted.
Such tamper-resistant nature diminishes doubts regarding the testing process's integrity, ensuring trustworthy and indisputable outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing facilitates convenient access to nationwide and local centers in Capps Switch, TX, streamlining the testing process.
With multiple centers available, testing is quick and effortless, minimizing disruption to one's day.
Whether near or far, individuals can swiftly access testing services, enhancing overall convenience and satisfaction.
The orderly and confidential process offered in Capps Switch, TX ensures peace of mind for those navigating hair follicle testing.
Ordering and receiving results is straightforward, guarding privacy with careful attention.
This efficient system reassures customers with its focus on simplicity and confidentiality, smoothing their path to reliable drug testing services.
Accredited Drug Testing in Capps Switch, TX, offers affordable pricing coupled with swift turnaround times, providing excellent value to businesses of all sizes.
With competitive rates, companies can benefit from reliable testing without breaking the bank.
Our emphasis on affordability does not compromise speed or accuracy, making it an attractive choice for employers.
In Capps Switch, TX, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its swift, precise results, achieving high accuracy in identifying substance use.
Because of the science behind hair analysis, it's possible to achieve quick turnaround times without compromising on reliability, giving employers confidence in the results.
With hair samples inherently resistant to common methods of tampering, the accuracy is further preserved, ensuring that the results truly reflect an individual's substance use.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Capps Switch, TX, ensures adherence to workplace drug-free regulations, enhancing employer confidence.
With such testing, legal risks are minimized and safety is promoted, offering peace of mind to employers.
Employers can rest assured knowing that their drug testing processes comply with guidelines, fostering a secure, drug-free environment.
