Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests are now recognized as effective means for detecting substance use. Hair encapsulates a lengthy history of alcohol and drug ingestion by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can offer an approximate three-month window for detecting drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and validation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assays beyond 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, equivalent body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we're specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test are divided into four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample undergoes preliminary processing into the lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input that wasn't covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid test for drug presence. Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples; however, for a positive screening to be legally valid, confirmation is necessary. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening are mandated to undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original specimen and is readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
Positive screening confirmations are performed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp
In Stony Creek, VA, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are clear. Hair tests offer superior accuracy and reliability, with an extended detection window and a robust array of substances detected. This leads to a more comprehensive analysis of substance use than traditional urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Stony Creek, VA, boasts an impressive detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers a three-month insight into an individual's substance history, offering a thorough evaluation of drug use patterns.
Hair follicle drug tests offer a tamper-resistant solution in Stony Creek, VA. These tests significantly minimize the possibility of sample tampering, ensuring the results remain reliable and confirm the authenticity of sample submissions.
Stony Creek, VA boasts convenient access to a network of nationwide testing centers, enabling hassle-free and efficient hair follicle drug testing services. This widespread accessibility ensures a smooth testing experience for all involved.
The hair follicle test process in Stony Creek, VA, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every stage—ordering, conducting, and receiving results. This simplicity addresses concerns of confidentiality, making the service user-friendly.
In Stony Creek, VA, competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times characterize hair follicle drug tests, offering excellent value for businesses of all sizes. This balance of affordability and speed ensures genuine peace of mind.
The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Stony Creek, VA, is unmatched, providing accurate and quick results that effectively identify substance use. These tests excel in detecting recent as well as long-term drug consumption, offering robust reliability.
For employers in Stony Creek, VA, hair follicle tests offer compliance with drug-free workplace policies. They help in mitigating legal risks and enhancing overall workplace safety, providing peace of mind through comprehensive substance screening.
