Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Over time, hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed record of alcohol and drug use due to biomarkers being embedded within the hair strands. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can reflect drug and alcohol exposure over a period of up to three months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
To obtain an optimal sample for analysis, a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, which weighs around 100mg, is ideal. For specific tests like EtG or those surpassing ten panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. Should scalp hair be nonexistent, the collection of a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is introduced into the lab's system. This step involves confirming that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides an initial evaluation for drug presence. This cost-efficient approach can identify potential drug use in most samples; however, any positive findings require confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples appearing positive in Screening necessitate further verification through secondary procedures.
Should Screening suggest positivity, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for further processing in the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations lower than other methods like urine or oral fluid, marking hair testing as a complex technique.
Confirmation of positive screenings is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Positively flagged samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and complies with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While occasionally termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing in Mount Calm, TX, provides greater benefits due to its superior accuracy and reliability.
Hair tests offer a wider detection window compared to traditional urine tests, identifying substance use more effectively.
Hair follicle tests in Mount Calm, TX, detect drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers insight into an employee's long-term substance history.
This extended detection window helps employers in assessing the substance practices of applicants thoroughly.
In Mount Calm, TX, hair follicle tests minimize tampering risks, delivering dependable and unquestionable results.
This method significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring credible outcomes for all test-takers.
With numerous nationwide centers, Mount Calm, TX residents enjoy convenient and accessible testing locations.
These facilities provide hassle-free services, ensuring quick and easy access to hair follicle testing across the country.
The testing process in Mount Calm, TX is straightforward and confidential, prioritizing privacy and ease of use for all participants.
From ordering to receiving results, the process remains simple, discreet, and user-friendly.
Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Mount Calm, TX make hair follicle testing an affordable and valuable option for businesses.
Our pricing model ensures excellent value, catering to companies regardless of their size.
In Mount Calm, TX, hair follicle tests provide fast and precise results, ensuring comprehensive accuracy in detecting substance use.
The high level of precision offered by hair testing surpasses traditional methods, offering peace of mind for both employers and individuals.
Mount Calm, TX, businesses comply with drug-free workplace policies through reliable hair follicle testing.
This approach minimizes legal risks, offering employers peace of mind and enhancing workplace safety.
