Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is progressively recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by retaining biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When hair is snipped near the scalp, it can offer up to about a 3-month window of drug and alcohol detection. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In situations where scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can serve as a substitute. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step entails confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in the majority of cases, any positive screen must be validated for legal acceptability in court. Samples showing presumptive positive results during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
When a sample is presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to implement.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as deemed necessary. The comprehensive laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined adherent to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the analysis centers on the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing has become the superior choice in Stowell, TX when compared to urine testing. This method not only enhances detection accuracy but also proves more reliable over time. Hair testing identifies a broader spectrum of substances and cannot be easily manipulated or cheated, unlike urine tests, which are more prone to adulteration, making hair testing a more robust option.
The exceptional feature of hair follicle testing in Stowell, TX is its extended detection window. Employers gain a significant advantage by viewing an applicant or employee's substance use over a longer period, up to 90 days. This comprehensive perspective supports informed hiring and monitoring decisions by highlighting patterns that shorter detection methods might miss.
In Stowell, TX, one major advantage of hair follicle tests is their significant tamper-resistance. This method reduces risks related to sample adulteration, offering dependable and unquestionable results. By using hair samples that are difficult to alter, stakeholders receive greater assurances about the authenticity and reliability of the drug testing outcomes.
Access to nationwide and local testing locations in Stowell, TX facilitates stress-free drug testing for all involved. Accredited centers span nationwide, ensuring speedy, convenient, and hassle-free services. This broad reach makes it easy for individuals and businesses to conduct tests without unnecessary travel or difficulty, enhancing the testing process's overall ease.
In Stowell, TX, Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple and confidential process for drug testing. From placing an order to taking the test and receiving results, every step is streamlined for user ease and ensures privacy. This straightforward method addresses any privacy concerns while maintaining an easy-to-understand process that all users can confidently navigate.
Stowell, TX enjoys affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our competitive pricing structures paired with quick results ensure excellent value for businesses of any size. This affordability paired with rapid service provides added peace of mind and allows companies to maintain safety without financial strain.
Stowell, TX relies on fast, accurate, and reliable hair follicle drug tests to uncover substance use. The efficiency in processing these tests, coupled with their precision, sets them apart from traditional methods. The accuracy in detecting various substances ensures that results are trustworthy, reducing the noise of false positives or negatives and providing a clear view of an individual's substance history.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Stowell, TX paves the way for compliance and peace of mind for employers. This practice ensures alignment with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and boosting workplace safety. Adopting hair testing not only secures compliance but also promotes a safer, more productive working environment.
