Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Regarded as a potent method, hair testing aids in spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within its fibers as it grows, offering an extended history of alcohol and drugs. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.
To ensure an optimal sample for screening and verification, take a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent in thickness to a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. Tests for EtG, enhancements, or those exceeding 10 panels suggest collecting 150mg. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair is permissible. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types such as facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test incorporates four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s framework. It encompasses confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data inputs absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While it's an economical approach to exclude drug intake in most samples, a positive screen necessitates verification for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), a reason hair drug analysis is particularly challenging to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcome occurs using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity undergo washing prior to confirmation as warranted. Every stage from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Testing
Hair follicle tests stand out against traditional urine tests due to their superior detection capabilities. In Oak Point, TX, the preference for hair testing is increasing as it offers more extended windows of detection and greater accuracy. The reliability of hair tests in detecting various substances ensures that employers can uphold stringent policies effectively, making them a preferred choice over urine testing.
Extended Detection Period Advantages
In Oak Point, TX, hair follicle testing's ability to detect drug use up to 90 days provides employers with an extensive overview of an individual’s substance use history. This extended window allows for more informed human resource decisions, enabling a thorough background check that urine tests cannot match.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle tests in Oak Point, TX, minimize the risk of tampering, ensuring that the sample remains unaltered. This method provides a trustworthy outcome that is hard to question and supports the integrity of drug testing protocols, offering peace of mind to employers regarding the authenticity of results.
Convenient Testing Accessibility
With our testing facilities spread across the nation and local options in Oak Point, TX, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to drug testing services. Our network of centers facilitates a straightforward, hassle-free testing experience, emphasizing convenience without compromising quality.
Streamlined and Confidential Process
Our hair follicle testing process in Oak Point, TX, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the steps are straightforward and maintain privacy, which is essential for both personal discretion and professional requirements.
Competitive Pricing and Rapid Turnarounds
Accredited Drug Testing in Oak Point, TX, offers affordable pricing and swift result processing. Our competitive pricing strategy ensures excellent value for organizations of all sizes, delivering quick and dependable drug testing solutions tailored to meet diverse needs.
Fast and Accurate Testing in Oak Point
Hair follicle drug tests in Oak Point, TX, promise rapid and reliable results, crucial for personal and professional implications. Their high accuracy rate in determining substance use marks them as a superior choice among testing methods. With swift processing times, individuals and organizations alike benefit from hair follicle tests, providing clarity and confidence in test outcomes.
Enhancing Workplace Compliance and Safety
For employers in Oak Point, TX, implementing hair follicle testing aligns with maintaining drug-free workplace policies. This approach mitigates legal risks and boosts workplace safety, reinforcing organizational standards and providing a safer environment for all employees.