Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window for alcohol and drugs lasting up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. In cases involving EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only; "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test result consist of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's preliminary processing within a laboratory's system. This step involves confirming the secure sealing and correct shipping of the sample, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary, expedited check for illicit substances. While Screening is an economical measure for excluding drug use across most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. All specimens that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a confirmatory follow-up.
If a specimen is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase entails isolating drugs from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), presenting hair drug screening as the most intricate method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Any samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing prior to Confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the technique examines the hair strands rather than the follicle underneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Samnorwood, TX offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. It provides superior detection accuracy and reliability, with a longer detection window of up to 90 days. Unlike urine tests, hair testing is less susceptible to tampering, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use history, ideal for maintaining workplace safety.
In Samnorwood, TX, hair follicle testing shines with its extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days past. This feature gives employers a broader view of an individual's substance use history, crucial for making informed hiring decisions and maintaining a drug-free workplace, distinctively outlasting the short detection periods of urine tests.
Hair follicle tests in Samnorwood, TX are renowned for their tamper-resistant design. The method minimizes the risk of adulteration and ensures the results remain reliable and indisputable, providing a trustworthy alternative to urine tests. This integrity in testing helps uphold stringent drug-free workplace policies, fostering a safe work environment.
With convenient nationwide centers, including Samnorwood, TX, our testing locations offer hassle-free access to hair follicle drug tests. You can quickly find a local facility for easy, efficient testing, benefiting from our widespread network, designed to make the drug testing process straightforward and accessible for all clients.
In Samnorwood, TX, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. Orders can be placed easily, and results are handled with the utmost privacy. Our user-friendly approach ensures peace of mind and ease of use, addressing privacy concerns effectively for businesses and individuals alike.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Samnorwood, TX, we ensure our hair follicle testing services provide excellent value. With quick processing and affordable rates, our tests accommodate companies of all sizes, delivering peace of mind along with financial sense, enhancing overall cost-effectiveness.
In Samnorwood, TX, the precision of hair follicle drug tests ensures swift and accurate substance detection. The reliability stems from their ability to precisely identify drug use patterns over extended periods. These tests are known for delivering high-quality, quick results, making them ideal for employers needing dependable and rapid assessments.
Employers in Samnorwood, TX gain significant peace of mind using hair follicle testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, this method reduces legal liabilities and enhances overall safety. Consistent use of these tests keeps companies compliant, fostering a safer, drug-free working environment for all employees.
