Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol usage. Hair holds a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug activity by embedding biomarkers within the growing strands. When gathered from the scalp, it can reveal substance presence over an estimated three-month duration. The collection process is straightforward, with challenges in tampering, and it's convenient for transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 hair strands (about #2 pencil thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg is advised. It's best to measure using a jeweler's scale. When scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. In terms of head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal steps in lab analysis of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about processing a sample into a lab's system, checking that it was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry outside of an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a rapid check for drugs of abuse. While it is an economical way to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening need subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is collected from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair testing the most challenging method.
Confirmation of positive results occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to necessary confirmation. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Smithland, TX, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several key aspects. With superior accuracy, these tests provide a robust detection capability for substance use. Hair tests maintain a higher reliability compared to urine analyses, marking a significant improvement in detecting drugs accurately within an extended period.
Hair follicle testing in Smithland, TX, boasts a detection window of up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual’s drug usage. This extended period helps employers gain a more detailed insight into an applicant's or employee's substance abuse history, allowing for informed decision-making.
Reducing the risk of sample tampering is a crucial benefit of hair follicle testing in Smithland, TX. Owing to its intricate analysis process, hair testing minimizes adulteration, ensuring results are both reliable and unquestionable, thereby eliminating common pitfalls associated with other methods.
Smithland, TX residents benefit from convenient access to Accredited Drug Testing's network of nationwide testing centers. These locations simplify the process, offering quick, easy, and hassle-free services through a vast number of accessible facilities.
The process for hair follicle testing in Smithland, TX, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to obtaining results, attention to privacy and simplicity ensures a seamless experience, alleviating concerns surrounding procedure complexities or data confidentiality.
In Smithland, TX, Accredited Drug Testing provides cost-effective pricing coupled with swift turnaround times for hair testing. Competitive pricing structures and prompt results deliver great value, catering to businesses of varied sizes seeking affordable and reliable testing solutions.
The hair follicle drug test offers fast and precise results for individuals in Smithland, TX. Advanced laboratory techniques ensure that the results produced are exceptionally reliable, making it a preferred choice for detecting substance use. Moreover, the speed at which these results are delivered enhances their practicality in both professional and personal contexts.
Smithland, TX, employers can achieve compliance with drug-free workforce policies through hair follicle testing. By adopting this approach, employers can reduce legal risks, enhance workplace safety, and foster a culture of responsibility and trust among employees.
