Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a vital tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands provide extended data on alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the fibers during growth. When gathered near the scalp, hair can show alcohol and drug use within roughly a 90-day window. It's straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the nearest point to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or beyond 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair is permissible. Head hair specifically means scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab's system. This process verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes an initial rapid review to detect substances of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient measure to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be corroborated to meet court standards. All samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.
In case a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus, hair drug screening is recognized as a challenging methodology.
The Confirmation of any positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Exceeds Urine Testing in Lusk, WY
Compared to urine tests, hair samples provide broader insights into drug usage, aiding comprehensive evaluations.
Extensive Detection Window in Lusk, WY
Employers in Lusk benefit from a detailed view of an applicant's substance habits.
Secure Testing Methods in Lusk, WY
Providing Lusk with secure testing options leads to assured results.
Widespread and Local Testing in Lusk, WY
Comprehensive locations make drug testing simple, no matter the need or urgency.
Effortless, Private Process in Lusk, WY
Simplifying the testing process ensures ease and confidentiality from start to finish.
Cost-Effective Pricing and Quick Turnarounds in Lusk, WY
Affordable rates paired with expedient results keep businesses running smoothly.
Quick and Accurate Results in Lusk, WY
Hair testing's precision is unmatched, beneficial for employers and individuals alike.
Compliance and Assurance for Lusk Employers
Offering security and stability, these tests uphold company standards effortlessly.
