Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It records a prolonged history of substance use by retaining biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. With collection near the scalp, hair can provide detection for alcohol and other drugs for up to about 3 months. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, it's suggested to collect 150mg of the hair sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, a sample is initially entered into the laboratory's system. This step verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigns it a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and addresses any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody may not cover.
Screening quickly checks for the presence of drugs. While screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use for most samples, any positive result needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples from Screening require further confirmation.
Should the Screening stage indicate a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are taken from hair at a much finer concentration level than methods like urine or oral fluid, which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Any positive screening results require Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before Confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing surpass traditional urine tests in Monroe, VA? Hair testing provides superior detection of drug use and reliability. It reveals substance history over a longer duration, offering greater accuracy and minimizing the challenge of test manipulation, surpassing urine tests in efficacy.
Monroe, VA employers gain insight through hair follicle tests, recognizing drug use over an extended period up to 90 days. This long detection window enables a thorough evaluation of an individual's substance use, enhancing the process of assessing potential or existing employees' substance history.
The hair follicle drug test in Monroe, VA, is recognized for its tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly reduces the opportunity for sample adulteration. Testing results remain highly reliable and unquestionable, ensuring employers receive valid, unaltered findings.
The convenience of nationwide testing locations, including those in Monroe, VA, simplifies the drug testing process. Our testing centers are easily accessible, offering a hassle-free and swift way to complete hair follicle tests for both employers and individuals.
Monroe, VA, offers a simple and confidential process for hair follicle drug testing. Our procedures prioritize ease of use and privacy, ensuring a smooth experience from ordering to receiving results, addressing any privacy concerns.
In Monroe, VA, we provide affordable pricing for hair follicle drug testing, emphasizing quick turnaround times. Our competitive pricing ensures maximum value, catering to companies of various sizes needing timely and economical testing solutions.
Hair follicle drug testing in Monroe, VA, stands out for its precision and speed in delivering results. These tests offer exceptional accuracy in detecting substance use. Employers and individuals benefit from the reliable data obtained quickly, providing a comprehensive assessment of one's drug history.
Employers in Monroe, VA, find peace of mind and compliance using hair follicle testing. It ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing potential legal issues and fostering a safer work environment free of substance abuse risks.
