Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective instrument for the identification of substance and alcohol consumption. Hair gives a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing with more than 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's advised to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid check for narcotics. Though Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in most specimens, a positive screen demands verification to be permissible in court. Any samples indicated as positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is indicated as positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected as positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft, not the follicle below the scalp
In Saint Albans, WV, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in identifying substances with unmatched precision. Hair testing's longer detection window up to 90 days is a crucial advantage over the traditional urine test.
Employers and agencies favor hair testing due to its reliability and accuracy, making it the superior option compared to urine tests for comprehensive substance screening.
In Saint Albans, WV, the hair follicle test's extended detection window allows for tracking drug use over a 90-day period, offering employers an in-depth evaluation of an individual's substance history.
Compared to shorter-term tests, this method gives a thorough overview, ensuring a reliable assessment of both applicants and employees, reinforcing trust within the workforce.
The hair follicle test in Saint Albans, WV, drastically reduces the chance of specimen tampering, providing trustworthy outcomes for substance abuse evaluation.
By relying on hair testing, the integrity of test results is upheld, as the method is difficult to manipulate, ensuring dependable and unquestionable results.
With numerous testing centers available Nationwide, including in Saint Albans, WV, accessing our hair follicle testing services is convenient and effortless.
Local facilities ensure that both individuals and businesses can benefit from rapid, hassle-free testing methods, further enhancing our service accessibility and efficiency.
The hair follicle testing process in Saint Albans, WV, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring ease from ordering to receiving results.
With a streamlined approach, individuals can comfortably engage with the testing process, free from concerns about privacy or complication, appreciating the discreet nature of our services.
Our hair follicle testing in Saint Albans, WV, offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, delivering exceptional value for organizations of varying sizes.
Affordable costs paired with fast, reliable results make hair testing a sensible choice for businesses aiming to balance costs with assurance in their drug testing procedures.
Hair follicle drug tests in Saint Albans, WV, offer fast and precise results, standing out for their accuracy in detecting substance use. The process ensures quick identification of drugs, making it an excellent choice for those seeking reliability.
With hair follicle testing, the results are not only fast but also highly reliable, providing assurance of accurate detection necessary for compliance and safety.
Employers in Saint Albans, WV, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, knowing they comply with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal challenges.
By implementing such reliable testing methods, companies can maintain a safe work environment and promote healthy, responsible workforce practices without concerns.
