Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a chronicle of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair strand grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair samples can reveal drug and alcohol use within a roughly 3-month timeframe. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp is needed to obtain 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is ideal. It's advisable to measure the hair sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair is permissible. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (like facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This stage ensures the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputs any additional data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug consumption in most cases, any positive screen must be confirmed for it to be legally accepted. Samples that appear positive in the Screening phase require further confirmation.
If Screening results are positive, additional hair is used from the original sample for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the more challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of a positive Screening result takes place using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that are assumed positive are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Clayton, WA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to several distinct advantages. A prominent benefit is the superior accuracy in detecting drug use, thanks to an extended detection window of up to 90 days.
The reliability of hair testing makes it a preferred choice over urine tests, especially when considering the potential for sample tampering which is more prevalent in urine samples.
In considering hair versus urine testing, hair analysis offers an enhanced view of substance usage, making it a critical tool for employers.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, capable of highlighting drug use over a span of up to 90 days, offers employers in Clayton, WA an unparalleled view into an employee or applicant's substance use habits.
This extended detection timeframe allows for a more thorough evaluation of long-term substance patterns, providing a comprehensive view unavailable in shorter detection methods such as urine testing.
Hair follicle testing in Clayton, WA is renowned for its tamper-resistant capabilities, nearly eliminating the risk of sample adulteration, which is more common in other testing methods such as urine tests.
Employing a process that inherently reduces the chances of manipulation, hair testing ensures robust and dependable results, thus upholding the integrity of the testing process.
Accredited Drug Testing makes it convenient for individuals in Clayton, WA by offering numerous nationwide testing centers. This means quick and easy access to drug testing services without any hassle.
With local locations available, you don’t need to travel far for testing. Quick, convenient, and comprehensive services are just around the corner, ensuring you receive the tests you need with zero inconvenience.
Our hair follicle testing process in Clayton, WA is designed to be both simple and confidential, ensuring user privacy throughout the stages of ordering, testing, and receiving results.
This easy-to-follow process alleviates privacy concerns while maintaining transparency about the steps involved, offering peace of mind to those undergoing testing.
In Clayton, WA, we pride ourselves on providing hair follicle testing with competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times, offering exceptional value to businesses regardless of size.
Balancing affordability with efficiency, our services ensure that companies receive prompt and reliable results, safeguarding their operations at reasonable costs.
Hair follicle drug testing in Clayton, WA offers a blend of speed, accuracy, and reliability, distinguishing them from traditional testing methods. Their capability to swiftly pinpoint substance use with high precision makes them an invaluable ally for maintaining safe and secure environments.
Through testing that seamlessly combines quick results with reliability, hair follicle analysis ensures that individuals receive accurate feedback, allowing swift decision-making processes.
Hair drug tests provide a rapid yet thorough analysis, yielding dependable insights into substance use patterns, creating a solid base for varied decisions.
For employers in Clayton, WA, utilizing hair follicle testing can significantly enhance compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing approach aids in reducing legal liabilities while simultaneously promoting a safer work environment.
By choosing hair testing, employers can assure themselves of maintaining stringent compliance with regulations and benefit from relaxed peace of mind regarding workplace safety protocols.
