Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The detection of drug and alcohol use via hair testing is regarded as an effective method. Hair offers a comprehensive record of drug and alcohol consumption over time, as biomarkers become embedded in the growing hair's fibers. When taken from near the scalp, a hair sample can reveal substance use for up to a 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering with it is relatively challenging, and it is convenient to transport.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch section of about 200 hairs (approximately equal to the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional types of drugs, or more extensive screenings beyond ten panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the hair sample is advisable. If no scalp hair is present, an equivalent amount of hair from other body parts can be used. In this context, "head hair" refers specifically to hair on the scalp, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
There are four principal stages in processing a laboratory drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a sample for input into a lab system. This stage involves checking if the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra information entries absent from an electronic custody chain.
Screening involves an initial rapid evaluation for controlled substances. It is a cost-efficient way to dismiss drug use in most samples; however, a positive screening must undergo confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.
When Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is prepared from the original sample for Extraction. This involves extracting substances from the hair at a minimal concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.
Any positive findings from Screening are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests," these assessments analyze the hair strand itself, not the scalp-located hair follicle.
In Dothan, TX, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests primarily due to its broader detection window. Compared to urine tests, which provide a narrower picture of substance use, hair testing unveils a more comprehensive understanding. Hence, its accuracy and reliability are often unmatched.
Hair follicle testing in Dothan, TX, offers an extensive detection window, with the capability to uncover drug use up to 90 days prior. This method allows employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance history. Unlike other tests, it furnishes a wider substance detection timeframe.
In Dothan, TX, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant solution that significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration. This reliability ensures authentic results, offering peace of mind to those requiring unquestionable drug test outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to testing services in Dothan, TX, with nationwide and local locations. Our vast array of centers simplifies the process, providing quick, convenient, and stress-free options for those in need of drug testing services.
Residents in Dothan, TX can count on a straightforward and private process for hair testing. From placing orders to receiving results, the methods are simple and assure confidentiality, addressing potential privacy concerns effortlessly.
With competitive pricing and quick results, the services in Dothan, TX offer excellent value for businesses. From startups to large enterprises, our affordable rates and swift turnaround empower companies with reliability and economic benefits.
In Dothan, TX, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision. By promptly identifying substances, these tests offer high accuracy that far exceeds traditional methods. Their design ensures results that are both fast and reliable, making them a top choice for accurate substance detection.
For employers in Dothan, TX, hair follicle tests ensure compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. By minimizing legal exposure and boosting workplace safety, these tests offer employers assurance and consistency in following strict drug policies.
