Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a longer-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to temper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four core steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial input into the lab's system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage from most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need further confirmation.
For samples testing positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the more challenging methods to execute.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques perform Confirmation of positive screening results. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The whole lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation aligns with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Quantico Station, VA, hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests with several distinct advantages. Accuracy and reliability define hair follicle tests, enabling the detection of substances over an extended timeframe, which urine tests cannot match.
The superior detection period of hair testing ensures that employers and authorities have a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, bolstering policy adherence and legal compliance.
Hair follicle analysis in Quantico Station, VA provides a much longer detection period for drug use, with the ability to trace substance consumption up to 90 days prior. This extended window greatly benefits employers seeking insight into applicants' or employees' drug history.
By surpassing the typical short-term detection of urine tests, hair testing offers a more thorough overview of an individual's consumption patterns, informing better employment and legal decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Quantico Station, VA significantly decrease the risk of sample tampering. Their unique collection process and analysis make adulteration extremely difficult, delivering results that are both reliable and indisputable.
This method ensures that the integrity of the testing process is maintained, providing peace of mind for employers and authorities relying on accurate drug test outcomes.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including those in Quantico Station, VA, the accessibility to testing services is seamless. Our extensive network ensures swift and uncomplicated access to required testing, reducing hassles for all involved.
Local centers within Quantico Station cater to immediate testing needs, ensuring that clients can proceed with the process without delay or inconvenience.
In Quantico Station, VA, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing any privacy concerns that users may have.
This user-friendly procedure ensures that individuals and organizations experience minimal difficulties, with confidentiality as a cornerstone of the testing process.
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Quantico Station, VA make hair follicle testing an economical choice for businesses. The excellent value and speed at which results are delivered can accommodate the needs of companies of any size.
By providing cost-effective solutions, we help organizations maintain their budgets while still ensuring thorough drug testing practices.
Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes in Quantico Station, VA. Their precision in identifying drug substances ensures high dependability in results, helping individuals and organizations make informed decisions rapidly.
The quick turnaround time of hair follicle testing places it above traditional methods, as reliability and speed of acquiring results are paramount for urgent decision-making processes.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Quantico Station, VA supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By using this method, employers can minimize legal risks and enhance workplace safety with reliable testing results.
This approach reinforces adherence to stringent workplace standards, offering peace of mind that organizational and legal obligations are being dutifully met.
