Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a significant asset in detecting substance use. The fibers of the growing hair strand trap biomarkers, providing an extended timeline of substance usage. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient for shipping.
A sample of 1.5 inches containing around 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. In situations where scalp hair is not accessible, body hair of a similar quantity may be collected. When we mention head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves these four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary induction of a sample into a lab's system, which includes ensuring the sample was secured and dispatched accurately, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an introductory rapid assessment for substances. Though an economical means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to hold up in court. Samples appearing positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
For samples preliminarily positive in Screening, more hair is retrieved from the primary specimen and made ready for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the challenging nature of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any result testing positive during screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though frequently mentioned as "hair follicle tests", it's the hair strand itself, not the scalp's follicle, that undergoes analysis.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Suquamish, WA
Hair testing showcases superior accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests. Its extended detection periods enhance its effectiveness, offering an undeniable advantage to local employers and organizations.
Extended Detection Window in Suquamish, WA
With hair follicle testing, employer decisions are backed by comprehensive data. Up to 90 days of detection provides a more thorough view of usage patterns compared to shorter-term tests like urine.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Suquamish, WA
Hair follicle testing provides a trustworthy method due to its resilience against adulteration, making it a preferred choice in sensitive evaluations.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Suquamish, WA
With testing centers situated nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing enables easy access to testing services both locally and beyond, streamlining the testing process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Suquamish, WA
Our simple, straightforward process guarantees privacy and ease, providing clients with an effective yet unobtrusive service experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Suquamish, WA
Competitive rates ensure great value, combined with quick result delivery to support businesses of all sizes without breaking the bank.
Our services offer both value and speed, ensuring company satisfaction at every level.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Suquamish, WA
The combination of speed and accuracy in detecting substance use makes hair follicle tests indispensable in many professional settings.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Suquamish, WA
Relying on hair follicle tests helps organizations adhere to drug-free workplace policies, effectively reducing legal risks and enhancing the safety of their work environment.
