Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a valuable method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the hair shaft's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This entails ensuring that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for abuse substances. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in a legal setting. Any samples that test positive in Screening require a secondary verification.
In cases where a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outperform traditional urine tests in Draper, VA? The key lies in its unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests that capture short-term drug use, hair follicle tests review several months of history, making them a superior choice for ongoing drug use assessment. With their unfakeable sample collection, these tests ensure integrity and robustness in drug detection.
Hair follicle tests in Draper, VA revolutionize drug screening by offering a vastly extended detection window of up to 90 days. This longer period enables a thorough examination of an individual’s substance use history, providing employers with critical insights into an employee or candidate’s long-term behavior. Such exhaustive data enhances informed decision-making processes, reinforcing workplace safety initiatives.
In Draper, VA, the hair follicle testing method is a stronghold against tampering and adulteration. Its resistance to sabotage preserves the purity of drug testing results, affording health professionals and employers peace of mind. When compared to urine testing, which is susceptible to various manipulation tactics, hair testing stands firm, delivering trustworthy data that stakeholders can bank on.
Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience with testing centers available nationwide, including in Draper, VA. Our extensive network facilitates seamless access to services, ensuring clients experience minimal downtime and maximum efficiency. Whether in Draper or elsewhere, our centers are strategically positioned, providing swift, hassle-free drug testing solutions for all clients.
In Draper, VA, hair follicle testing is a seamless and confidential process. From ordering to collection and receipt of results, every step ensures privacy and simplicity. Clients can trust that their information is protected through stringent confidentiality protocols and streamlined procedures, underscoring our commitment to discretion and user-friendly service experiences.
Accredited Drug Testing in Draper, VA offers cost-effective pricing with rapid turnaround times, combining value with efficiency. Our competitive pricing guarantees that businesses of any size can access top-notch drug testing services without financial strain, alongside swift results delivery, which ensures informed operational decisions can be made promptly.
Hair follicle testing in Draper, VA is synonymous with speed and precision, offering accurate detection of substance use at unmatched levels. Expedited processing and reliable reporting elevate this methodology, securing its place as the gold standard in drug testing. Enhanced sensitivity ensures even trace drug presence is recorded, making it an invaluable tool for comprehensive substance screening.
Hair follicle drug testing in Draper, VA supports employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By employing this method, companies mitigate legal risks and bolster workplace safety. This adherence not only protects organizations legally but also fosters an atmosphere of peace and assurance among staff and management, boosting overall organizational morale and operational integrity.
