Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent means for identifying the use of substances such as drugs and alcohol. Hair strands encapsulate a prolonged record of drug and alcohol usage by capturing traces in the strands' fibers while they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug usage up to a 3-month timespan for both drugs and alcohol. The collection method is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
An ideal amount for testing involves a sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10 in number, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to assess the hair sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair can be obtained, equivalent body hair can be collected. Note that "head hair" indicates scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" covers all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Key stages in a drug test's laboratory analysis involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning starts with the sample's entry into the lab's processes. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and finalizes any data entry not covered by an electronic custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid evaluation for drug substances. This step is cost-efficient for eliminating drug usage in most cases; however, any positive results from the screening need further verification for legal validity. Every sample testing positive initially during Screening needs confirmation through a secondary process.
Should a sample register as positive in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the initial collection for the Extraction stage. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at far lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluids), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed for confirming any positive results from the screening. Before proceeding with confirmation, each presumptive positive sample is cleansed as necessary. The whole process from Accessioning through to Confirmation undergoes quality checks under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," this analysis actually examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Eustace, TX, hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing due to its extended detection period. It provides a clearer historical substance use profile with greater accuracy and reliability, making it indispensable for comprehensive assessments and enforcing strict drug-free policies.
Hair follicle tests have a significant edge in Eustace, TX, with their ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days. This extended window offers a thorough view into an individual's substance use history, benefiting employers in decision-making processes.
Hair follicle tests in Eustace, TX, drastically minimize the risk of tampering, delivering trustworthy results. Their robust design ensures sample integrity, offering dependable outcomes that are difficult to contest, thus reassuring employers and authorities alike.
With convenient testing centers nationwide and in Eustace, TX, accessing testing services is straightforward and hassle-free. This extensive network allows individuals and businesses to quickly find nearby facilities, ensuring efficient and timely drug testing.
The hair follicle testing process in Eustace, TX, is straightforward and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. This seamless procedure addresses privacy concerns with ease, providing peace of mind through secure and private handling of information.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Eustace, TX, our hair follicle testing delivers exceptional value. This affordability ensures even small companies can maintain high standards of substance compliance without straining budgets.
The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Eustace, TX, is unmatched, providing fast and accurate results for those querying substance use. With high accuracy, these tests reliably detect substances and offer quick results, making them the preferred choice for ensuring safety and compliance.
Employers in Eustace, TX, rely on hair follicle testing for compliance and peace of mind. By ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, these tests reduce legal risks and promote a safe working environment, enhancing overall workplace security.
