Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This type of testing offers a comprehensive history of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the hair shaft during its growth. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for a period of up to around three months. The collection process is straightforward, is less prone to tampering, and is easily transportable.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches from the scalp, consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil), yields around 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for testing and verification. For tests such as EtG, additional screenings, or when testing beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair are specific to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process for examining drug test results in a lab involves four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial entry of a specimen into a laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample’s integrity with proper sealing and shipping. A unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any additional data not available through an electronic chain of custody is entered.
Screening offers an initial assessment for substance presence. It is a cost-effective method mainly used for ruling out drug consumption in most specimens, but a positive result in this stage requires confirmation to be legally valid. Consequently, presumptive positives demand a secondary confirmation.
Presumptive positives from Screening progress to Extraction, involving further hair sample preparation. This stage isolates drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other testing types (e.g., urine, oral fluid), underscoring why hair testing is particularly intricate.
To confirm positives, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly misrepresented as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Snyder, TX
Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests in accuracy and reliability, offering superior drug detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis provides a longer detection period, ensuring thorough historical drug use insight, beneficial for comprehensive evaluations.
Extended Detection Window in Snyder, TX
Hair follicle testing offers a detection window of up to 90 days, providing employers with an extensive view of an individual's substance history. This long period enables a thorough evaluation of past drug use, giving a clearer picture of potential employees' habits.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Snyder, TX
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the chance of sample tampering. The method's inherent resistance to adulteration ensures that the results remain reliable and trustworthy, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking foolproof drug testing.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Snyder, TX
The extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including Snyder, TX, provides hassle-free access to drug testing services. This wide-reaching availability ensures that testing is quick, straightforward, and convenient for all clients.
Simple, Confidential Process in Snyder, TX
The hair testing process is both simple and confidential, easy to order and receive results. This ensures privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any concerns while maintaining a straightforward approach to drug testing.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Snyder, TX
Snyder's hair follicle drug tests offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. This blend of affordability and efficiency provides great value to businesses of all sizes, supporting their needs with reliable service.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Snyder, TX
Hair follicle drug tests in Snyder deliver swift, precise outcomes. These assessments excel in accuracy, effectively revealing substance use. By quickly identifying drug presence with high reliability, hair tests stand out as a top-choice method for substance detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Snyder, TX
Employing hair follicle testing aids employers in adhering to drug-free workplace policies, thereby minimizing legal liabilities and enhancing safety. This test offers peace of mind, assuring compliance and contributing to a secure work environment.