Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository for drug and alcohol biomarkers, maintaining a long-term record within the growing hair strands. Obtained near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate three-month detection span for drugs and alcohol. Collection is straightforward, it resists tampering, and is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is preferred for screening and validation. For EtG inclusions, additional panels above 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We advocate weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in laboratory processing for a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's framework. This process includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry that an electronic chain of custody may not present.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening offers an economical solution for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires verification to be permissible in a legal setting. Samples suggesting a positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation testing.
If Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is sourced from the original specimen for preparation in Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology.
The confirmation of any screening positive is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as presumptive positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fowlerton, TX
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. With the ability to reveal drug use over extensive periods, this method offers detailed insights into a person's substance history, proving advantageous for employers and professionals.
Extended Detection Window in Fowlerton, TX
Hair follicle testing excels with its extended detection window—capturing substance use over a period of up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a broader perspective on someone’s drug use history, informing more accurate hiring or supervisory decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fowlerton, TX
Hair follicle tests are prominently known for reducing the risk of sample tampering. Their distinct method ensures results that are reliable and unquestionable, offering peace of mind to those requiring consistent and valid data.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fowlerton, TX
We facilitate ease of access through multiple nationwide testing centers, allowing for hassle-free, prompt testing services whenever needed, including local options in Fowlerton.
Simple, Confidential Process in Fowlerton, TX
Our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential—from ordering to obtaining results. This ensures users’ privacy while maintaining simplicity and clarity in every step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fowlerton, TX
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times offer great value for any company’s drug testing needs, instilling confidence alongside economic efficiency.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fowlerton, TX
Hair follicle drug testing offers unmatched precision and speed, making it a reliable choice for detecting substance use. By examining just hairs, these tests achieve high accuracy levels and are effective in pinpointing drug residues, granting companies and individuals assurance in the results delivered.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fowlerton, TX
Implementing hair follicle testing in workplace settings reinforces compliance with drug-free policies. This not only minimizes legal liabilities but also consistently contributes to a safer work environment.
