Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal up to about a 3-month window of detection for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, less susceptible to tampering, and simple to ship.
A sample of around 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. On the other hand, body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step involving the integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes ensuring that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that might not be covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for substance abuse. Although it is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need a secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen to prepare for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than those in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening more complex to conduct.
Positive screening results are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed as needed before confirmation. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being referred to as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers superior benefits over urine tests in Strafford, VT. Hair tests detect a broader range of drugs and have a longer detection window, up to 90 days. By contrast, urine tests generally detect recent drug use, typically within a few days.
Enhanced accuracy is another advantage of hair testing. As hair analysis is less susceptible to false positives and manipulation compared to urine tests, employers receive more credible data to make informed decisions.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Strafford, VT, presents a critical advantage, with the ability to trace drug use back up to 90 days. This allows employers and legal systems to gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s history of substance use.
Unlike other tests, this method provides a long-term perspective on an applicant or employee's drug habits, aiding in thorough background checks and robust hiring processes.
Reducing tampering risks is a significant strength of hair follicle testing in Strafford, VT. By utilizing this method, the chance of altering samples significantly diminishes, ensuring authentic and trustworthy results.
With tamper-resistant attributes intrinsic to hair analysis, these tests provide unmatched security and reliability in detecting drug use, giving peace of mind to those relying on the outcomes.
With convenient testing locations across the nation, Strafford, VT residents benefit from quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services. Accredited Drug Testing offers easy-to-reach sites to reduce travel time and logistical complications.
This network of nationwide centers ensures businesses and individuals can obtain tests efficiently, supporting timely and efficient decision-making processes.
Simplicity and confidentiality are prioritized in the testing process offered in Strafford, VT. The ordering, sample taking, and result retrieval are kept straightforward, ensuring ease of use while preserving participant privacy throughout.
Clients can trust in the confidential nature of the process, with discreet handling of personal data contributing to a sense of security and trust during testing.
Cost-effective options are a key feature of hair follicle testing services in Strafford, VT. Competitive pricing coupled with fast turnaround times provides exceptional value for businesses of various scales, ranging from small enterprises to major corporations.
Besides affordable rates, the rapid processing of results assures employers of swift and efficient service, aiding in timely decision-making processes.
Fast and Accurate Results are a hallmark of hair follicle drug tests in Strafford, VT, offering unmatched precision in identifying substance use. Their accuracy rate surpasses that of traditional tests, ensuring employers and legal entities can count on reliable outcomes.
Not only do hair follicle tests provide quick results, but they also offer unmatched reliability. The speed at which results are delivered enhances decision-making processes, making planning smoother for workplaces requiring rapid substantiation of drug use.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Strafford, VT, ensures compliance with rigorous workplace drug-free policies. This testing method fortifies legal standing and promotes safety by minimizing workplace hazards associated with drug use.
Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are upholding critical safety standards and reducing legal liabilities related to substance misuse in the workplace.
