Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly valued as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a historical record of alcohol and substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four pivotal phases in the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial stage where a sample is logged into a lab's system. This process verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage for most samples, any positive result must be confirmed to be valid for court. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening will undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), posing challenges that make hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Any confirmed positive from the screening process undergoes verification using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. Every phase, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although they are often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Wheelock, TX, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests, particularly in terms of detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing provides a substantially longer detection window, which can span up to 90 days.
While urine tests are limited to recent consumption, hair follicle tests analyze patterns of use over time. This feature significantly broadens the scope of detection and enhances overall accuracy.
Incorporating hair follicle testing in Wheelock, TX, provides a noteworthy advantage—an extended detection window. Unlike other testing methods, hair analysis can confirm drug use over a 90-day period, offering a comprehensive overview.
This extended period allows employers to thoroughly assess an individual's substance use history, enhancing informed hiring decisions and maintaining a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing in Wheelock, TX, delivers a tamper-resistant solution for drug screening, significantly minimizing the risk of sample manipulation.
Due to the nature of hair collection, it's nearly impossible to alter or substitute samples, making it a highly reliable method. This assurance of authenticity provides unquestionable results for all stakeholders involved.
Discover the convenience of widespread testing facilities available in Wheelock, TX, and beyond. Our expansive network of testing centers ensures you can access services wherever you are, without hassle.
Having local and national presence makes testing a streamlined process, eliminating the need for extensive travel and providing comfort and ease for participants.
In Wheelock, TX, our hair follicle testing procedure is both straightforward and confidential. Ordering, performing the test, and receiving results are all designed to prioritize privacy and ease for individuals and businesses alike.
These simple steps ensure participants have a secure experience during the entire testing process, from start to finish.
In Wheelock, TX, benefit from our competitively priced hair follicle testing services coupled with fast turnaround times, ensuring optimal value for businesses of every scale.
Our pricing structures are designed to deliver affordability without sacrificing precision, enhancing peace of mind and offering an appealing option for regular drug screening.
Experience the unparalleled speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug testing in Wheelock, TX. Hair tests are renowned for their precision, effectively detecting a wide range of substances with greater accuracy than other methods.
These tests provide swift results, ensuring that whether for workplace testing or individual purposes, the conclusions drawn are both reliable and beneficial for informed decision-making.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Wheelock, TX, guarantees adherence to workplace drug-free protocols, offering peace of mind to employers. These tests help ensure compliance, reducing potential legal liabilities while maintaining a safe work environment.
With superior detection capabilities, hair tests serve as an effective tool for sustaining policy compliance.
