Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair functions as a record-keeper of long-term substance use by capturing biomarkers within its strands during their growth. When hair is acquired near the scalp, it offers a detection window extending up to around 3 months for alcohol and other substances. The process of collecting hair samples is straightforward, they are relatively tamper-resistant, and the samples are uncomplicated to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hairs (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for testing purposes. For EtG, supplementary add-ons, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be provided, a comparable quantity of body hair could be used. When discussing head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test entails four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This stage ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any outstanding data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not address.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. Though Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result in this stage requires Confirmation for legal acceptance. Hence, any sample showing a positive indication in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
For samples with a positive result in the Screening step, additional hair from the initial sample is prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower levels compared to other testing methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing notably complex.
Confirmation of any positive findings involves techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples flagged as positive undergo a pre-confirmation wash when necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the term “hair follicle testsâ€, the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When it comes to drug detection, hair follicle tests trump urine tests in Stephen Creek, TX. Hair testing identifies substances for up to 90 days, unlike traditional urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
Hair follicle testing in Stephen Creek, TX, stands out with its extended detection capabilities. This method can trace substance usage over a span of up to 90 days.
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering in Stephen Creek, TX, offering unassailable results.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing facilities both nationally and locally across Stephen Creek, TX, ensuring easy access to services.
Engaging in hair follicle testing in Stephen Creek, TX, offers a straightforward and confidential approach.
Accredited Drug Testing in Stephen Creek, TX, emphasizes affordability and rapid result delivery, providing excellent value for businesses.
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched for individuals in Stephen Creek, TX. Reliable in detecting substance usage, these tests yield fast results and are a preferred choice due to their high accuracy.
For employers in Stephen Creek, TX, using hair follicle tests aligns with drug-free workplace policies, bolstering compliance and safety.
