Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has been recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use. The hair fiber captures and retains biomarkers, offering a comprehensive history of drug and alcohol consumption. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and substances. Its collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it ships effortlessly.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about a #2 pencil's diameter) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for screening and validation. For EtG, extended panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 categories, 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. In situations where scalp hair is missing, a similar quantity of body hair might be gathered. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types of hair (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the laboratory analysis of drug testing outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial process of entering a sample into a lab's system, which includes ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by a digital chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. Screening effectively excludes drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen must be validated for courtroom acceptability. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need additional confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial collection for the Extraction procedure. During Extraction, substances are retrieved from hair at concentrations much lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is notably complex.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are cleaned before confirmation, as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Happy, TX
Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability over standard urine tests. They encompass a broader detection window and are resistant to tampering. This makes them desirable for zero-tolerance policies and environments that prioritize safety and compliance.
One significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Happy, TX, is its extended detection window. While urine tests offer a short-term view, hair tests reveal substance use over the past 90 days, helping employers gain deeper insights into an individual's substance history.
In Happy, TX, hair follicle drug tests provide reliable results by minimizing the risk of adulteration. Their tamper-resistant nature ensures that the results are dependable, affording employers peace of mind in their substance testing processes.
With convenient testing locations across Happy, TX, Accredited Drug Testing ensures fast and hassle-free access to services. Our nationwide centers are strategically positioned for maximum accessibility, offering a seamless testing experience.
Our hair follicle testing in Happy, TX offers a simple and secure way to get results. The easy-to-follow process respects privacy concerns, ensuring confidentiality at every step, from ordering the test to receiving the results.
In Happy, TX, we deliver affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle drug tests. Our competitive pricing structure and quick results provide excellent value, catering to SMBs seeking effective and budget-friendly solutions.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug evaluations in Happy, TX, are unparalleled. These tests provide remarkable accuracy in detecting substance use. From collection to results, the comprehensive process ensures a higher degree of reliability when compared to more traditional drug testing methods.
Hair follicle drug evaluations in Happy, TX assist companies in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. They reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety, providing peace of mind to employers by showcasing adherence to industry standards and regulations.
