Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drugs and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of substances by integrating biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use information for up to roughly 90 days. Hair is easy to gather, not easily tampered with, and straightforward to transport.
A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp can deliver 100mg of hair, considered perfect for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional evaluations, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. Head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair signifies all other types (facial, axillary, and so on).
Process Overview
The four essential phases in the lab handling of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary input of a sample into a lab’s database. This involves affirming the sample was secured and sent correctly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening engages in a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is economical for dismissing drug utilization in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to attain legal credibility. Any samples that yield a preliminary positive during Screening need a follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample appear presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is among the most complex methodologies to execute.
Verification of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes a wash before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and per the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test scrutinizes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Stoneburg, TX, hair follicle tests offer superior insight over traditional urine testing by detecting drug use up to 90 days back. With high accuracy, hair tests present a more reliable assessment of long-term substance use, reducing the chance of evasion and supporting policies for a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing in Stoneburg, TX provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use over a significant period. This expands the scope of understanding an individual's substance use history, as tests can reveal details from up to 90 days prior, a substantial advantage for employers evaluating potential hires.
Stoneburg's hair follicle tests boast a tamper-resistant quality that makes them nearly impervious to cheating. By offering a secure testing method, they guarantee the integrity of results, providing employers with confidence in the authenticity of the test outcomes and safeguarding against manipulation of samples.
In Stoneburg, TX, the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide network ensures effortless access to hair follicle drug tests. Regardless of where you're located, our facilities provide hassle-free and accessible testing services, simplifying logistics and minimizing disruption for employers and individuals.
Our testing process in Stoneburg, TX is straightforward and discreet, respecting privacy and prioritizing user-friendliness. From ordering to result retrieval, every step ensures confidentiality and ease, addressing common concerns and simplifying the drug testing experience for all involved parties.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive prices and fast turnaround times in Stoneburg, TX. Our cost-effective pricing structures, combined with expedited results, deliver exceptional value, enabling companies of every size to confidently conduct drug testing without compromising budget or timeline.
In Stoneburg, TX, hair follicle drug testing offers precise and swift results. Renowned for their high accuracy, these tests identify substance use with unmatched reliability. Employers benefit from quickly obtaining results they can trust, ensuring informed decisions based on comprehensive substance use data.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Stoneburg, TX ensures compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This method diminishes legal risks and enhances safety, offering peace of mind and a fortified commitment to maintaining a secure and professional environment for workers and businesses alike.