Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent means to detect drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair's growth. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and various drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, the preferred volume for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This includes checking that the sample was sealed and shipped accurately, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to disregard drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be verified to hold up in court. Samples with presumptive positivity in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
For samples with presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as deemed necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Advantages of Hair Testing over urine tests are numerous, particularly in Jonestown, TX. Hair tests boast superior detection precision, picking up on substance use that urine tests might miss, particularly in long-term and historical drug use.
Reliability Matters when deciding between hair and urine tests. Hair follicle assessments in Jonestown offer more consistent and far-reaching discovery of drug usage than their urine counterparts, prioritizing dependable results.
Extended Coverage is a hallmark of hair testing, evaluating drug usage up to 90 days prior. This ensures employers in Jonestown gain a clearer grasp of an individual's drug history, surpassing shorter-detection counterparts.
Enhanced Historical Insight from hair tests offers employers an exceptional view into a candidate's or employee’s past substance use, supporting better informed decision-making.
Security and Reliability stand at the forefront of hair follicle testing in Jonestown. These assessments are challenging to manipulate, ensuring a trustworthy and tamper-resistant method for drug detection.
Adulteration-Proof testing through hair samples limits falsification risks, showcasing the resilience and integrity of the method for accurate substance use reflection.
Convenience Across Locations is a significant advantage; Jonestown residents benefit from our widespread network of testing facilities providing straightforward access to essential services.
Nationwide Facilities guarantee that businesses and individuals in Jonestown can easily locate testing centers for efficient, hassle-free substance screening.
Confidential Procedures assure clients of privacy in Jonestown. Our hair testing process is seamless, maintaining discretion from ordering to results, alleviating concerns of confidentiality.
Ease of Use in hair testing facilitates Jonestown clients, offering a straightforward method for initiating and completing tests while securing result disclosure.
Competitive Pricing ensures that businesses of all sizes in Jonestown can afford our hair testing services, while still receiving rapid results and exceptional accuracy.
Value and Efficiency combine in our offerings, delivering quick turnaround times with affordable rates, strengthening resource allocation for Jonestown’s various stakeholders.
Speed and Accuracy in hair follicle testing make it an ideal choice for assessing substance use. With cutting-edge technology and precise methodologies, these tests accurately trace drug usage, ensuring trustworthy results in Jonestown, TX.
Fast Processing times are essential, and hair tests offer rapid and effective substance detection. Their reliability paired with quick processing provides an efficient solution for entities requiring prompt results in Jonestown.
Compliance Assurance underlines hair follicle testing’s value in Jonestown workplaces, promoting adherence to drug-free policies. This reduces potential legal challenges and bolsters a secure working environment.
Employer Peace of Mind derives from reliable hair testing, reinforcing workplace regulations while ensuring safety and protection against non-compliance.
