Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analyses have gained recognition as a significant method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, it offers a comprehensive record of substance use. If gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug intake over an approximate period of three months. Hair collection is straightforward, with a reduced risk of tampering, and is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximating the dimensions of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is perfect for initial and subsequent testing. For EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding ten tests, 150mg is preferred. It's advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. In the event scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be taken. When we reference head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The central stages in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to integrating a sample into a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was packed and sent accurately, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data input that wasn't supplied through a digital chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary and swift inspection for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical strategy to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally valid. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample is tentatively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower levels compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening uniquely challenging.
The Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the process examines the hair strand and not the follicle itself beneath the scalp.
In Margaret, TX, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities and unmatched reliability. Employers, fighting substance misuse, find great value in hair testing’s ability to reveal patterns missed by urine tests, offering a more comprehensive overview.
With a capacity to detect drug use over a 90-day period, hair follicle testing in Margaret, TX provides employers with a thorough understanding of a person’s substance use history. This extensive detection window ensures informed decisions based on comprehensive data.
In Margaret, TX, hair follicle testing is highly regarded for its resistance to tampering. The results of these tests are unbiased and credible, as they significantly reduce the possibility of sample manipulation, ensuring authenticity and reliability.
Margaret, TX benefits from convenient access to nationwide testing centers, offering seamless and accessible drug testing services to meet local and national demands. Wherever you are, testing is straightforward and efficient.
The process for hair follicle testing in Margaret, TX is straightforward and private, reassuring individuals concerned about data security. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are all done with ease, preserving confidentiality at every step.
In Margaret, TX, hair follicle testing is known not only for its swiftness but also for its cost-effectiveness. Companies benefit from competitive pricing structures and prompt turnaround times, making these tests a valuable option for organizations of any size.
Margaret, TX benefits from the efficiency of hair follicle drug tests, known for their quick and precise detection abilities. These tests ensure high accuracy in uncovering substance use patterns, making them a reliable choice for organizations in need of trustworthy results.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Margaret, TX can help employers maintain drug-free workplaces, ensuring both compliance and security. Implementing these tests reduces legal vulnerabilities and fosters a safe working environment.
