Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, this method can reveal substance use history for up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and conveniently transportable.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) taken near the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. In instances where scalp hair is missing, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair alone. "Body hair" includes all other hair varieties (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing process in the laboratory is comprised of four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes an initial entry into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any manual data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
In Screening, the sample undergoes an initial analysis for substance abuse. Although this is an economical way to eliminate drug use in the bulk of samples, a confirmed outcome is necessary for legal acceptance. Samples yielding a tentative positive in Screening necessitate further validation.
Should a sample result in a tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the initial collection for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are extracted from hair in concentrations lower than those in urine or oral fluid testing. Consequently, the hair drug screening method is among the most challenging to execute.
To substantiate any positive result from Screening, techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Each sample flagged as tentatively positive undergoes a washing step before Confirmation, if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," this testing examines the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
In Eagledale, WA, hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy over urine testing. Their benefits outshine traditional methods, presenting a longer detection window and greater reliability.
Hair follicle testing in Eagledale, WA, examines drug use over extensive periods, often up to 90 days. This method offers employers a broad view of applicant or employee substance history.
Eagledale, WA, hair follicle testing greatly minimizes sample tampering, ensuring results are reliable and uncontestable.
Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access with testing centers nationwide and locally in Eagledale, WA.
The hair follicle test process in Eagledale, WA, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring ease and privacy.
In Eagledale, WA, competitive pricing and fast processing for hair follicle tests provide excellent value for businesses.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Eagledale, WA, are unmatched. Reliable results emerge with high accuracy, ensuring substance use detection is both fast and accurate.
For employers in Eagledale, WA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal liabilities and improving safety.
