Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a formidable method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a detailed record of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers roughly a 3-month period during which it can detect alcohol and drug use. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional panels, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a corresponding amount of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it strictly pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
A drug test result's laboratory processing encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating the initial sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means of eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be permissible in legal settings. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and set up for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of screened positive results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under 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 called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing is recognized for its advantages over traditional urine tests in Clarendon, TX. The main benefits include a much longer detection period and superior accuracy. While urine tests are limited to detecting more recent usage, hair tests provide data over months, making them ideal for employers focused on past employee behavior. This method bolsters detection accuracy and reliability significantly.
Hair follicle testing in Clarendon, TX, extends the detection window for drug use to as long as 90 days. This lengthy period gives employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance intake history. Having such an extensive review period allows businesses to make well-informed decisions about potential or current employees.
In Clarendon, TX, the hair follicle test's tamper-resistant nature offers a distinct advantage. This type of testing greatly minimizes the chances of adulteration, ensuring that the results are accurate and trustworthy. With this method, you can rely on the integrity of the findings, confident that they reflect true substance use without manipulation.
Our extensive network of testing locations, including those in Clarendon, TX, offers unmatched convenience. Whether nationwide or locally, our centers enable easy access ensuring that getting tested is quick, straightforward, and hassle-free. This wide availability is designed to accommodate your testing needs efficiently and effectively.
The process for ordering, completing, and receiving hair follicle test results in Clarendon, TX, is straightforward and private. We emphasize confidentiality to maintain trust, ensuring that each stage—from booking to result retrieval—is smooth and secure. This simple procedure eliminates any concerns relating to privacy or accessibility.
With competitive pricing and expedited turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Clarendon, TX, provide excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our strategy focuses on affordability without compromising on speed or accuracy, offering peace of mind and financial relief to businesses in need of testing solutions.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing in Clarendon, TX, make it a superior option. Its ability to accurately detect substance use provides a high level of confidence to employers and authorities alike. With fast processing times and reliable outcomes, hair testing ensures you receive dependable information when assessing drug use.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Clarendon, TX, helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies. Such compliance reduces legal liabilities while enhancing safety within the workplace. Employers can rest assured knowing they are taking robust measures to maintain a drug-free environment, providing peace of mind for all stakeholders involved.
