Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands as they grow, offering a lengthy retrospective of substance use. When sourced near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol consumption history for up to three months approximately. Collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) at the scalp provides 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or testing over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair might be utilized. References to head hair are specific to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing procedure encompasses four major phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves initially entering the sample into a lab's system. This phase ensures the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns it a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes necessary data recording absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary drug check. While cost-effective for excluding drug usage in most instances, a positive result in Screening mandates confirmation for legal acceptability. Any sample testing as positive during Screening requires further verification.
Should a sample test positively during Screening, additional hair is procured from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair testing the most complex method.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are used for verifying positive Screening results. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo necessary cleaning. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation conforms to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Tests
In Port Royal, VA, hair testing is favored over urine tests due to its superior accuracy and longer detection period. Hair follicle tests provide a dependable measure of an individual's long-term substance use, surpassing the limitations associated with urine testing.
Extended Detection Capabilities
Offering up to a 90-day detection period, hair follicle testing in Port Royal gives employers insights into the long-term drug use patterns of applicants and employees, allowing for a thorough review of one's past substance history.
Secure and Tamper-Resistant
Hair follicle tests in Port Royal excel at minimizing sample tampering, delivering assured and indisputable results. These tests offer a robust solution against adulteration, ensuring credible outcomes.
Accessible Testing in Port Royal and Beyond
With numerous testing centers nationwide, including in Port Royal, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to services, streamlining the drug testing process for individuals and employers.
Easy and Confidential Process
Our testing procedure in Port Royal is straightforward and respects privacy, simplifying the steps of ordering, conducting the test, and receiving results to maintain confidentiality and user-friendliness.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, our services in Port Royal provide excellent value for organizations of every size, ensuring affordable and prompt drug testing solutions.
Fast and Reliable Testing in Port Royal, VA
The precision of hair follicle drug tests is unmatched, providing quick and accurate detection of drug use. In Port Royal, this testing method offers unparalleled reliability, ensuring fast results and trustworthy data for individuals and employers alike.
Ensure Compliance and Safety
Employers in Port Royal, VA benefit from hair follicle testing by adhering to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks, and cultivating a safe and compliant work environment.
