Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. It offers a comprehensive history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and conveniently transportable.
A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is preferred. It's advisable to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be used, the same quantity of body hair can be obtained. When referring to head hair, it indicates only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample into the lab's system, ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not captured through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it’s a cost-efficient way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-acceptable. Samples presumed positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample is presumed positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.
Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test in fact examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Huntsville, TX, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine testing. Its ability to detect a wider range of drugs with greater accuracy makes it a superior choice. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis provides a longer detection window, capturing even sporadic drug use, thus offering an unmatched level of precision and reliability for employers and legal entities alike.
Hair follicle testing in Huntsville, TX, prides itself on an extended detection period, capable of revealing drug use history up to 90 days. This expansive window provides employers a broader perspective on an individual's substance use habits, ensuring they have comprehensive background information for potential hires or current employees, which urine tests may miss due to shorter detection periods.
In Huntsville, TX, hair follicle testing represents a robust method to counter adulteration attempts. Its collection process is directly observed, making it extremely difficult to tamper with. This integrity ensures that results are reliable and indisputable, providing a level of confidence in substance testing that surpasses many traditional testing methods.
Convenience is crucial, and our expansive network of testing centers nationwide ensures quick and stress-free access to services in Huntsville, TX. Whether local or traveling, individuals can easily locate our centers, enabling prompt and efficient testing, which is integral to maintaining compliant and safe environments.
In Huntsville, TX, the simplicity and confidentiality of the hair follicle testing process make it a preferred choice. From ordering to receiving results, the process is straightforward, secure, and respects privacy, ensuring that individuals can engage in testing without concerns about complexity or exposure of personal data.
Our competitive pricing in Huntsville, TX, coupled with fast turnaround times, makes hair follicle testing an attractive solution for businesses of all sizes. Ensuring affordability without sacrificing quality offers immense value, providing companies with the comprehensive screening they need without a hefty financial burden.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Huntsville, TX offer unmatched reliability. These tests are engineered to deliver swift, accurate results, identifying substance use with high accuracy. Their efficiency in processing ensures that employers receive timely information without sacrificing the quality or integrity of the results they rely on for decision-making.
For employers in Huntsville, TX, adopting hair follicle testing is a strategic move to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only minimizes legal liabilities but also contributes to enhancing safety across the organization, offering peace of mind to employers who prioritize maintaining a drug-free environment.
