Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by preserving biomarkers in the hair's structure. If obtained near the scalp, hair offers up to a roughly 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or when tests exceed 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, the same quantity of body hair can be collected. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The essential stages in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of initially handling a sample in the lab’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use from most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court validity. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a second confirmation.
In cases of a presumptively positive result during Screening, more hair is processed from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the intricate nature of hair drug analysis.
Confirming any positive Screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS systems. All samples that show presumptively positive results undergo a wash before Confirmation if necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The test often called a "hair follicle test" actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing in Harpers Ferry, WV, surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are limited in their detection window, hair follicle tests reveal substance use over extended periods, providing a broader picture of an individual's drug usage.
In Harpers Ferry, WV, the extended detection window of hair follicle drug testing offers employers a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history. Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests detect drug usage for up to 90 days.
Hair follicle drug tests in Harpers Ferry, WV, provide a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly reducing the risk of adulteration. This robustness ensures that the results are both reliable and unchallengeable.
Our testing centers in Harpers Ferry, WV, offer nationwide convenience. This extensive network ensures that our comprehensive drug testing services are easily accessible, quick, and hassle-free.
Offering a simple, confidential process in Harpers Ferry, WV, our hair follicle drug testing ensures ease of use and privacy protection. From ordering to receiving test results, our processes are user-friendly and discreet.
In Harpers Ferry, WV, our hair follicle drug testing services boast affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. Businesses of all sizes benefit from our competitive rates and efficient services.
In Harpers Ferry, WV, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their high precision allows for the detection of illegal substances long after they have been used.
The swift processing time means that results are available quickly, allowing for timely decision-making in critical situations.
For employers in Harpers Ferry, WV, hair follicle testing brings compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, businesses can minimize legal risks and promote a safer work environment.
