Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal long-term substance use by capturing biomarkers in the growing hair fibers. When taken from near the scalp, it can offer nearly a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch strand sample weighing about 100mg, taken from around 200 hairs near the scalp (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil), is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or when exceeding 10-panel tests, 150mg of hair is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be used, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. Head hair exclusively pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The process of laboratory drug testing involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the first stage of integrating a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not accompanied by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs an initial assessment for substance abuse. Though it's a budget-friendly method to generally exclude drug use, a positive outcome in the Screening phase requires verification for legal purposes. Presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample show a positive indication during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to undergo Extraction. In this phase, substances are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in methodologies like urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug testing is considered the most intricate method.
Confirmation for any preliminary positive results uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed per CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While sometimes termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The Advantages of Hair vs. Urine Testing in Funston, TX cannot be overstated. Hair tests boast superior detection capabilities. Unlike traditional urine tests, they reliably uncover drug use with enhanced accuracy and dependability.
An Extensive Detection Period in Funston, TX is offered through hair follicle testing, which traces drug use up to 90 days. This provides employers with an all-encompassing view of an individual's substance use history.
Secure, Tamper-Resistant Methods in Funston, TX make hair follicle tests ideal. These methods significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, guaranteeing results that are beyond dispute.
Convenient Testing Locations Nationwide & Locally in Funston, TX. We offer an extensive network of testing facilities for easy, hassle-free access to our services, wherever needed.
Streamlined and Confidential Process in Funston, TX. We ensure a straightforward and private method for ordering tests and receiving results, addressing both confidentiality and user convenience.
Cost-Effective and Prompt Turnaround in Funston, TX. Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times offer excellent value for companies, delivering peace of mind regardless of size.
Reliable and Swift Outcomes in Funston, TX are ensured through hair follicle drug tests, known for their precision and promptness. These tests offer remarkable detection accuracy, capturing substance use with high reliability.
Employer Compliance and Assurance in Funston, TX is achieved through hair follicle testing, which ensures adherence to drug-free policies. This reduces legal risks and bolsters workplace safety.
