Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand, hair can capture a prolonged history of substance use. If gathered near the scalp, hair can show an alcohol and drugs detection period of around 3 months. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil), near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for examination and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is preferable. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair might be taken. When referencing head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a specimen within a lab's system. This involves checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data not given by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial quick examination for substance misuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.
Confirming any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over urine tests in Amonate, VA. This technique boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability due to its extended detection period. While urine tests might miss recent drug consumption, hair tests provide a comprehensive history of substance use, ensuring that all bases are covered.
In Amonate, hair follicle tests catch drug use with a much longer reach, spanning up to 90 days. This extended detection window means employers have access to a detailed picture of an individual's substance habits. It offers a strategic advantage for companies, helping them make informed employment decisions based on extensive historical data.
Amonate, VA benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. Compared to other methods, this test curtails the risk of sample adulteration significantly. The reliability and integrity of these tests underscore their authenticity, providing results that cannot be easily contested or manipulated.
With widespread access to testing locations, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience across the nation and local locales in Amonate, VA. The ease of access to these centers simplifies the testing process, offering clients a seamless and hassle-free experience each time they require services.
The process for hair follicle testing in Amonate, VA is straightforward and confidential. Whether ordering a test or receiving results, the procedure is designed to address privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. Clients appreciate the simplicity of navigating a complex process.
Amonate, VA businesses can capitalize on the affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times provided. This offers excellent value, ensuring companies of varying sizes benefit from cost-effective testing solutions without sacrificing speed or quality.
In Amonate, VA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision and speed are unmatched, ensuring that every test thoroughly detects substance use. The thoroughness of these tests guarantees high accuracy, making them a prime choice for quick detection of drugs in an individual's system.
Employers in Amonate, VA find peace of mind in using hair follicle testing. By ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies, these tests help mitigate legal risks and bolster workplace safety. Companies achieve peace of mind knowing they're upholding stringent standards efficiently and effectively.
