Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands, it offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month history of alcohol and drug use. Hair is straightforward to gather, fairly tough to manipulate, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial fast examination for substance abuse. While Screening offers a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test actually analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Tests Outperform Urine Tests in Meadows Place, TX
Hair testing surpasses urine tests with a superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a longer window for substance detection, increasing reliability. Hair follicle tests are less susceptible to tampering, offering a much stronger defense against attempts to obscure true drug or alcohol use history.
Extended Detection Period in Meadows Place, TX
Hair follicle testing affords a significant advantage over other testing methods, offering up to a 90-day detection window. This extended period provides employers with a full substance usage profile of employees or prospective hires, unlike the limited timeframe that urine tests cover.
Such comprehensive detection allows companies to make informed decisions founded on thorough knowledge of an individual's long-term substance use.
Secure Testing Method in Meadows Place, TX
The hair follicle testing process ensures a level of tamper-resistance unmatched by traditional methods. Because of the nature of hair samples, it is extremely challenging to alter test results, providing employers and other entities unwavering confidence in the accuracy and integrity of these tests.
Convenience of Nationwide and Local Testing in Meadows Place, TX
With testing centers spread nationwide, our services provide unmatched convenience. Locally in Meadows Place, accessing our hassle-free and efficient testing processes assures easy integration into any current procedures, simplifying what can be a cumbersome task of maintaining workplace compliance.
Easy and Confidential Process in Meadows Place, TX
Our approach to testing is streamlined, maintaining the utmost privacy and simplicity from ordering to results delivery. This allows both employers and employees to navigate the testing process with confidence, knowing that discretion and simplicity are paramount.
Cost-Effective Prices and Swift Results in Meadows Place, TX
Our competitive pricing models and fast turnaround times offer great value to companies of varying sizes. Quick, reliable results combined with affordability provides an optimal solution for businesses looking to implement or maintain drug testing practices.
Fast and Reliable Testing in Meadows Place, TX
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their accuracy and quick turnaround. This procedure excels at detecting multiple substances efficiently, offering dependable results that ensure both employers and individuals receive conclusive testing outcomes.
By choosing hair follicle methods, your tests will not only be precise but processed expediently, enabling timely decision-making based on accurate data.
Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Meadows Place, TX
Employers benefit significantly by integrating hair follicle testing into their workplace policies, as it supports compliance with drug-free workplace standards. This method aids in minimizing legal risks while promoting a safe and regulated work environment, ensuring peace of mind for all parties involved.
