Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The evaluation of hair samples has emerged as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers encapsulate biomarkers within the strands as they grow, providing a retrospective timeline of substance usage. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair may be taken. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four essential stages in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of the sample within a lab's framework. It involves verifying that the specimen was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient method to discount drug usage in most samples, a positive screening outcome requires verification to be credible in legal settings. Samples that initially test positive during Screening necessitate further Confirmation.
Should a sample test positive initially in the Screening phase, additional hair from the original sample is taken for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to implement.
The Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples tentatively identified as positive undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning through Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair distinction and adherence to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Superiority Over Urine Tests
The advantages of hair follicle evaluations surpass traditional urine testing methods, particularly in Forest, VA. These hair tests offer improved detection accuracy that urine samples simply cannot match, providing a more reliable overview of substance use history.
While urine tests may serve well for recent use detection, their reliability significantly wanes for prolonged histories, a void effectively filled by hair assessments now favored by many sectors, from employment to legal compliance.
Extended Detection Timeline
Hair follicle evaluations hold the distinction of identifying drug use over extensive periods, up to 90 days in Forest, VA. This extended detection is indispensable for employers seeking comprehensive insight into an applicant's or employee's substance usage history.
Such an in-depth overview of one’s substance history aids organizations in hiring decisions or employment assessments, reflecting a stronger compliance to drug-free workplace policies and ensuring only the most suited candidates move forward.
Resisting Adulteration
In Forest, VA, hair follicle tests stand out as a testing method nearly impossible to manipulate. Their design significantly decreases the chance of sample tampering, ensuring results remain credible and trustworthy.
Through this robust method, businesses and legal institutions can rely on consistent results that promote fair and unbiased assessments, critical for maintaining integrity in drug testing protocols and practices.
Convenient Testing Accessibility
In Forest, VA and beyond, the existence of comprehensive nationwide testing centers ensures swift, straightforward access to essential testing services, alleviating typical logistical challenges.
Such broad and accessible networks facilitate ease of booking and attending a testing appointment, making compliance with testing procedures as hassle-free and efficient as possible for all involved.
Confidential and Simplified Process
In Forest, VA, our testing process prioritizes ease and privacy, ensuring a highly straightforward approach from placing an order to receiving your results.
This methodic approach alleviates potential client apprehensions by ensuring confidentiality and user-friendliness, reassuring individuals and organizations of their privacy from the outset through to result reception.
Economical and Prominent Services
Our service in Forest, VA boasts competitive pricing complementing our rapid result turnaround, delivering substantial value while reassuring companies irrespective of their scale.
This advantageous balance of cost-effectiveness coupled with efficient service timelines positions us favorably for those seeking reliable drug testing solutions without financial strain.
Fast and Precise Detection
In Forest, VA, hair follicle tests are renowned for providing swift, accurate results for substance identification. Their advanced technology ensures high precision in detecting drugs or alcohol, making them a preferred choice for agencies requiring speed and reliability in their testing processes.
These tests analyze the hair for specific substances efficiently, expediting the overall testing procedure without sacrificing the accuracy or reliability employers and agencies seek.
Compliance Guarantees
Implementing hair follicle testing in Forest, VA helps employers adhere to strict drug-free workplace policies, thereby minimizing potential legal challenges and fortifying workplace safety.
Through such diligence, firms not only shield their operations from potential liabilities but also foster a safer and more compliant working environment, which is beneficial for both employers and employees alike.
