Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately 3-month detection period for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to falsify, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hairs (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG assessments, additional inquiries, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be taken. Regarding head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages involved in processing a drug test result in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. It involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While it is a budget-friendly method for negating drug use in most cases, a positive result needs further validation to be accepted in court. Any samples presumed positive in Screening require secondary verification.
If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is obtained from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this process, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Kent, VA, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests with their superior detection accuracy and reliability. These tests can uncover a history of substance use over extended periods, giving a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug use. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis minimizes the risk of sample tampering, ensuring honest results.
Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in Kent, VA boasts a significantly longer detection window, up to 90 days, offering employers an extensive insight into an applicant or existing employee’s substance use history. This long-term view is unmatched by other methods, such as urine tests, which covers much shorter usage periods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
In Kent, VA, the integrity of testing results is ensured as hair follicle tests greatly minimize sample adulteration risk. This method's tamper-resistant nature means the outcomes are reliable and indisputable, essential for organizations with zero-tolerance policies on substance use.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
In Kent, VA, access to drug testing is effortless with our expansive network of testing centers. This nationwide and local reach simplifies the testing process, ensuring quick, convenient, and hassle-free access to essential services for individuals and companies alike.
Simple, Confidential Process
Our hair follicle testing process in Kent, VA is designed to be straightforward and secure. From ordering the test to receiving results, confidentiality and simplicity are prioritized, addressing any privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for clients.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Kent, VA, benefit from competitive pricing structures and speedy result times in our hair follicle testing services. We offer exceptional value, catering to companies of varying sizes, with quick turnaround ensuring peace of mind and effective decision-making.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Kent, VA, hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision and speed in detecting substance use. The meticulous process ensures high accuracy, providing both individuals and organizations with dependable results. This level of precision supports confident decision-making, both in personal and professional settings.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Hair follicle testing in Kent, VA provides employers the assurance of compliance with drug-free workplace standards. By adopting this method, businesses mitigate legal risks and bolster workplace safety, fostering a secure and productive environment for all employees.
