Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair can show drug and alcohol history for up to three months. It is easy to obtain, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process of drug testing consists of four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is logged into a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to identify drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court validity. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, the concentration of drugs extracted from hair is much lower compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples, presumed positive, are washed prior to confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although referred to as "hair follicle tests", this testing analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Langtry, TX, surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection abilities. Not only does it provide a broader detection window, but hair testing also enhances accuracy and results reliability. Employers find this approach more effective for maintaining zero-tolerance policies.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Langtry, TX, offers insights into substance use over a 90-day period. This allows employers to comprehensively assess an individual’s substance use history, aiding in informed decision-making.
In Langtry, TX, the risk of sample tampering is significantly minimized with hair follicle testing. This testing method provides unassailable and trustworthy results, enhancing the reliability of substance use assessments.
In Langtry, TX, the convenience of accessible testing centers both locally and nationwide ensures stress-free and expedient drug testing. Accredited Drug Testing provides hassle-free access to professional services.
In Langtry, TX, hair follicle drug testing is an uncomplicated and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to safeguard privacy and simplify each step for the user.
Accredited Drug Testing in Langtry, TX, furnishes competitive pricing and quick turnaround on hair follicle testing. Companies benefit from the cost-effective service and swift results, catering to their varying needs and sizes.
In Langtry, TX, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision in identifying substance use. These tests offer high accuracy, ensuring that individuals who have used substances are detected reliably and swiftly. Employers seeking fast, accurate, and trustworthy results can count on this testing method.
Employers in Langtry, TX, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. By mitigating legal risks and boosting safety, this method aligns with their policy goals effectively.
