Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a historical record of substance consumption by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. A sample collected near the scalp can offer up to a 3-month detection timeline for substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's best to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test includes four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample first enters the lab system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and transporting, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and completes any additional manual data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective in excluding drug use from most samples, any positive screenings must be confirmed to hold up legally. Samples that test positive during Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample returns presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly complex.
The Confirmation phase for any positive screening utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Cottondale, AL, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests by offering longer detection periods and greater accuracy. The reliability of hair testing surpasses that of urine tests, as it can detect drug use over an extensive timeline, providing more comprehensive insights into a person’s substance use history. Therefore, it offers an unbeatable edge in drug detection excellence.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in Cottondale, AL, is the extended detection window. It can identify drug use over a lengthy period, often up to 90 days, thus offering a more thorough overview of an individual’s substance consumption. This makes it invaluable for employers seeking a deep dive into an employee’s history with drugs.
The methodology behind hair follicle testing in Cottondale, AL, significantly minimizes tampering risks. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are tamper-resistant, ensuring that the sample's integrity remains intact throughout the testing process, thus yielding results that can be deeply trusted for their authenticity and reliability.
The convenience of testing is a highlight in Cottondale, AL, with nationwide locations and local centers ensuring ease of access. With our expansive network of testing facilities, individuals and organizations can quickly engage with our hassle-free services, underscoring the simplicity and reliability of our testing procedures.
In Cottondale, AL, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to testing, and receiving results, the streamlined process is designed to prioritize user privacy while ensuring a straightforward experience, which is crucial for maintaining confidentiality and user trust.
Our service in Cottondale, AL, is characterized by affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing models and swift result processing ensure companies gain excellent value, supporting businesses of all sizes in maintaining a secure, drug-free work environment without hefty costs.
Hair follicle drug tests in Cottondale, AL, are known for providing fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are impeccably efficient in identifying substance use, offering a precise measure of an individual’s history with drugs. Their swiftness in processing ensures that results are delivered quickly, allowing for informed decision-making with minimal delay.
By employing hair follicle testing, employers in Cottondale, AL, can achieve peace of mind and compliance with no-drug workplace policies. This reduces associated legal risks and contributes to enhancing workplace safety, reassuring both employers and employees of a well-regulated, drug-free environment.
