Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing is recognized as an effective approach for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a repository for long-term substance use history, capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collected from the scalp, hair can offer an approximately 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Gathering a 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be retrieved, a similar amount of body hair can be obtained. 'Head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair. 'Body hair' includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process of drug testing results includes four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial lab system entry of the sample, ensuring it was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system has not supplemented.
Screening provides an initial analysis for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court eligibility. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.
For samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are pre-washed as needed before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite frequent references as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing drug testing methods in Occoquan, VA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine examinations. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, identifying drug use with greater reliability. Employers and officials benefit from this advanced method due to its extensive detection window and the inability to manipulate results as easily as urine tests.
Occoquan, VA, employers gain a significant advantage from the extended detection period of hair follicle tests. Unlike other testing, these tests reveal a comprehensive record of drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This extensive window gives employers substantial insight, assisting in informed decision-making regarding potential and current employees.
The risk of sample adulteration is drastically reduced with hair follicle testing in Occoquan, VA. This method eliminates many common tampering tactics, providing trustworthy and indisputable results. Employers can depend on this method for its integrity in delivering an accurate assessment of an individual's substance use history.
Our extensive network of testing centers provides unparalleled accessibility to drug testing services, both nationwide and locally in Occoquan, VA. The convenience of these facilities ensures that seeking a hair follicle test is quick, easy, and minimally interruptive, catering to employers and individuals alike.
Our hair follicle testing process in Occoquan, VA is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving the results, the procedure is simple and respects the individual's privacy. This service allows for a hassle-free experience, reassuring those concerned about privacy and ease of access.
Offering competitive pricing structures, our hair follicle testing services in Occoquan, VA present cost-effective options paired with fast turnaround times. Businesses of all sizes benefit from these economical solutions, securing excellent value while receiving expeditious results.
In Occoquan, VA, the precision and speed offered by hair follicle drug tests surpass many traditional testing methods. Not only are these tests highly accurate in identifying substance use, but they also ensure that results are reliable without the delays typically experienced with other forms of testing. This ensures employers and individuals receive prompt and dependable information.
Using hair follicle testing in Occoquan, VA offers employers assurance in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates legal risks and enhances safety. With a comprehensive view of employee conduct, employers can ensure a peaceful and productive work environment.
