Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month window of detection for various substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we're specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The main stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step in entering a sample into a lab's system. This process involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any remaining data entry that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary and rapid evaluation for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug presence in the majority of samples, a positive result must be confirmed for it to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that test positive during Screening will require further confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further analysis during the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at concentrations much lower than those found in other methods like urine or oral fluid. Hence, hair drug testing is considered one of the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of any positive results obtained in Screening is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that show presumptive positive results undergo cleaning before confirmation, as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is checked under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing in Lucas, TX offers superior accuracy and reliability. Despite the prevalence of urine testing, hair analysis extends an unmatched detection window. Why do hair follicle tests stand out? Because they efficiently uncover drug use patterns up to 90 days back, offering a broader picture of an individual's substance usage history. This is why many employers favor hair testing, ensuring stricter adherence to zero-tolerance policies.
One of the defining advantages of hair follicle tests in Lucas, TX is their extended detection window. These tests can trace drug usage over the past 90 days, providing employers with a comprehensive understanding of a person’s substance habits. Such an extensive timeline is invaluable for organizations committed to maintaining a drug-free environment. Therefore, these tests are particularly favorable for roles requiring utmost accountability and responsibility.
The inherent design of hair follicle testing makes it an exceptional choice in Lucas, TX for tamper-resistant testing. The challenge of adulterating or manipulating a hair sample means results are more trustworthy than those from urine tests. Employers and legal entities rely on the certainty provided by hair testing, minimizing risks associated with drug test cheating.
Thus, hair follicle tests are favored for their reliability and near-impossibility of sample substitution.
Accredited Drug Testing conveniently operates nationwide, including key locations in Lucas, TX. Our comprehensive network ensures easy and hassle-free access to our services. Regardless of where you are, we have a testing center ready to serve you, making drug testing a seamless experience.
We’re committed to offering accessibility and efficiency, ensuring our clients encounter no barriers when seeking our testing solutions.
In Lucas, TX, the process of hair follicle drug testing is straightforward and confidential. From scheduling a test to receiving results, we guarantee simplicity and privacy. Our ordering system is user-friendly, and results are handled with the utmost confidentiality, addressing any concerns about privacy and ease of use.
This ensures that all steps, from test to results, are managed discreetly, respecting individual privacy rights.
Our competitive pricing structure, combined with fast turnaround times, makes hair follicle testing in Lucas, TX an affordable option. We provide excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes can benefit from our reliable services. Quick results at cost-effective rates allow businesses to maintain drug-free environments with minimum financial strain.
Our client-friendly services prioritize providing timely and cost-efficient solutions, meeting diverse business needs.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them a top choice in Lucas, TX. Their high accuracy ensures detection of substance use with confidence. Hair tests are designed to quickly and reliably identify traces of drugs, providing results that businesses and individuals can trust. The rapid turnaround of these tests ensures that decision-making processes are not delayed.
Accredited Drug Testing centers guarantee you receive results in a timely manner, crucial for quick hiring decisions and compliance with regulatory demands.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Lucas, TX offers peace of mind and compliance with workplace drug policies. The reliability and extensive detection period of these tests reduce the legal ramifications of non-compliance, ensuring a secure and productive work environment. By integrating hair testing, employers commit to a safer workplace, meeting legal and procedural requirements effortlessly.
It's a proactive measure that bolsters workplace safety culture.
