Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a lasting record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over a period of up to three months. This method is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, encompassing approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's diameter) from the scalp provides 100mg, which is ideal for testing. For EtG, additional testing, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advised to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers purely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal steps involved in the laboratory analysis of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial processing phase of a sample into a lab’s system, ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any additional data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective preliminary method to exclude drug presence in many specimens, a positive screening must be substantiated to be legally valid. Any presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
In testing presumptively positive samples, additional hair is gathered from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drug compounds are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to methods like urine or oral fluid testing, contributing to the high complexity of hair drug screening.
Verification of any positive screening result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive specimens undergo washing prior to confirmation where required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is appraised under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often deemed "hair follicle tests", this test scrutinizes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
Hair testing offers superior detection with higher reliability over traditional urine tests. Its extensive window covers up to 90 days, providing accurate historical substance use data.
Extended Detection Window
With the ability to trace drug use for up to 90 days, hair follicle tests offer employers comprehensive insights into the substance history of applicants or employees.
Tamper-Resistant Testing
The hair follicle drug tests significantly reduce the chances of alteration or tampering, ensuring reliability in results that cannot be questioned.
Convenient Testing Locations
Our nationwide network offers hassle-free testing across the country, including local centers in Shrewsbury, WV, facilitating easy access.
Simple and Confidential Process
The process of testing ensures privacy and ease, from ordering to taking the test and receiving results, addressing all confidentiality concerns.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
We offer competitive pricing and quick results, making our services valuable and reassuring for businesses of all sizes.
Fast and Accurate Results
The efficiency and precision of hair follicle drug tests are exemplary. With speedy results and high accuracy, they are ideal for detecting substance use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind
Hair follicle tests help ensure workplace policies are adhered to, lowering legal risks and fostering a safer work environment.
