Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal a lengthy usage history by retaining biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection timeframe of roughly 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, an optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. When conducting EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be used, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When referring to head hair, this indicates only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The primary phases in laboratory processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial integration into the laboratory system. This phase ensures proper sealing and shipping, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary check for drug presence. While being a cost-efficient method for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening require secondary confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluids, making hair drug screening particularly complex.
All positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the lab processes are examined under both the CAP Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," they analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Brodnax, VA, the effectiveness of hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing can uncover drug use across a significantly longer timeframe, providing a clearer picture of substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Brodnax, VA extends its detection capabilities to detect drug use over 90 days, offering employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.
Hair follicle tests are notably tamper-resistant, reducing the chance of sample adulteration in Brodnax, VA.
Our testing centers, including those in Brodnax, VA, offer the convenience of nationwide locations, making testing services readily accessible.
The process for ordering and taking a hair follicle test in Brodnax, VA is straightforward and confidential, keeping privacy concerns at bay while ensuring ease of use.
Our pricing is competitive in Brodnax, VA, with quick turnaround times, offering excellent value and speedy results for businesses of any size.
Hair follicle drug testing is known in Brodnax, VA for its speed and high precision in identifying substance use. These tests deliver fast, reliable results, which are invaluable for employers and individuals alike.
Employers in Brodnax, VA can gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, minimizing legal exposure, and fostering a safer workplace.
