Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for detecting substance use, including drugs and alcohol. As hair grows, it captures biomarkers within its fibers, providing a prolonged history of substance use. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to three months for both drugs and alcohol. This method is straightforward to collect, resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.
A suitable sample consists of a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands, roughly similar in size to a #2 pencil, yielding 100mg of hair — the optimal amount for initial screening and further confirmation. For tests like EtG or those surpassing 10 panels, it is suggested to collect 150mg. We advise using a jeweler's scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is lacking, equivalent body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory process of drug testing is composed of four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the introduction of a sample into the laboratory framework. This step ensures that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Cost-effective and efficient, this phase helps eliminate drug use in the majority of samples. However, a positive screen must be subsequently confirmed to be legally valid. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample is flagged as presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted and prepared for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of positive results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pecan Gap, TX: In contrast to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. By capturing a longer history of drug use, hair tests are especially useful for environments requiring stringent compliance, such as workplaces and legal settings, giving peace of mind to those who rely on these reliable results.
Extended Detection Window in Pecan Gap, TX: Hair follicle testing provides an extensive drug use detection period, which can stretch up to 90 days. This extended scrutiny offers employers an exhaustive view of the substance history of potential and current employees. With such a broad scope, organizations in Pecan Gap, TX can maintain safer workspaces with greater confidence.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pecan Gap, TX: Hair follicle tests are expertly designed to minimize the risk of sample alteration, ensuring trustworthy and unquestionable results. Compared to other testing procedures, this method presents a far more challenging environment for any individual attempting to tamper with the outcome, providing security in testing.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pecan Gap, TX: Our network of testing centers spans nationwide, offering accessible, quick, and stress-free solutions for testing needs. Whether local to Pecan Gap or elsewhere, avail of our services without the hassle, understanding that convenience and efficiency are at the forefront of our operations.
Simple, Confidential Process in Pecan Gap, TX: Our streamlined and private process for booking, conducting, and reviewing results ensures ease of use and protects user privacy. From start to finish, the process remains effortlessly straightforward, providing the confidence you need in any drug testing situation.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pecan Gap, TX: Our competitive pricing structures alongside rapid turnaround times provide unmatched value to businesses of all sizes. With cost-effective solutions and a dedication to swift results, we help ease the financial and operational burdens of maintaining a drug-compliant workforce.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pecan Gap, TX: The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled, providing unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use. Whether for personal, judicial, or occupational requirements, obtaining swift and dependable results has never been easier than with this testing method right here in Pecan Gap, TX.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pecan Gap, TX: Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing legal risks and promoting enhanced safety, businesses can confidently thrive, knowing their procedures stand up to the most rigorous standards available in Pecan Gap, TX.