Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the emerging hair strand. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can demonstrate up to about a 3-month detection cycle for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary procedures involved in the laboratory processing of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into the lab’s system. This step incorporates verifying that the sample was securely sealed and shipped correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial expedited review for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be acceptable in court. Any samples likely positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is likely positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is acknowledged as the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is appraised under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the testing process actually evaluates the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When evaluating drug tests in West End, TX, hair follicle testing undeniably surpasses traditional urine tests. It's essential to compare their advantages. Hair testing offers increased detection accuracy and reliability, with a longer period for detecting substance abuse.
This results in a more comprehensive view of any illicit drug use by individuals, enabling employers and authorities to make better, informed decisions.
The capability of hair follicle testing to detect drug use up to 90 days back is invaluable in West End, TX. This extended detection window provides employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history.
Compared to other methods, this test's longer detection period offers a more complete account of an individual's drug use profile, crucial for informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests stand out as a tamper-resistant method ensuring the integrity of results in West End, TX. They significantly limit the possibility of sample manipulation, offering credible and trustworthy outcomes.
Belying efforts to alter results, hair tests secure accuracy, helping organizations maintain a rigorous and dependable screening process.
The convenience of numerous testing centers nationwide, including in West End, TX, makes hair follicle drug tests easily accessible. This extensive network supports quick and straightforward testing processes.
With numerous local options, accommodating schedules becomes seamless, ensuring no delays in obtaining necessary testing services.
The process for hair follicle testing in West End, TX, is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns individuals may have.
Ordering, conducting, and receiving results are handled with utmost simplicity, making the procedure as stress-free and private as possible for all involved.
In West End, TX, hair follicle tests are not only quick and reliable, but they're also affordable. Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times ensure value, making it feasible for businesses of all sizes.
This cost-effective approach ensures companies benefit from a top-tier drug testing solution without incurring excessive costs.
In West End, TX, hair follicle drug tests set a high standard for accuracy and speed. Recognized for their precision in detecting substance use, these tests offer reliable and swift results, benefiting employers and individuals alike.
The efficacy of hair testing mitigates uncertainty, ensuring accurate detection and timely results in each evaluation conducted.
Employers in West End, TX gain considerable peace of mind from hair follicle drug tests. By ensuring compliance with workplace drug policies, these tests diminish legal risks and enhance workplace safety.
Employers can confidently implement drug-free policies, assured that hair testing sustains a secure and trustful working environment.
