Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The analysis of hair has become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strand, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to a 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches long, consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil), should weigh around 100mg, making it optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or more than 10-panel assessments, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is prudent. If scalp hair cannot be gathered, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. ‘Head hair’ refers specifically to scalp hair, while ‘body hair’ denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for a drug test result includes four core phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed within a laboratory's framework. This step ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic custody system.
Screening acts as an initial brisk test for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is a cost-focused approach for excluding drug use in most samples, a detected positive screen must be confirmed for courtroom admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positives during Screening demand secondary confirmation.
If Screening results are presumptively positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, the drug concentration in hair is much lower than other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), underlining why hair drug testing remains a challenging practice.
Confirmation of positive results during screening utilises GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples indicating presumption of positivity are washed before confirmation when necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab procedure is evaluated as per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", this examination actually assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle portion within the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Arden, AR
Hair testing surpasses traditional urine samples by offering robust detection capabilities. Not only is hair analysis more difficult to alter, but it also provides a clearer picture of long-term substance use, setting a new standard in drug testing reliability within Arden, AR.
Extended Detection Window in Arden, AR
With the ability to track drug intake over a 90-day period, hair follicle testing in Arden, AR gives an extensive view of an individual's drug history. This prolonged detection window makes it a preferred choice for employers keen on assessing long-term behavior rather than just recent substance use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Arden, AR
Hair follicle tests are recognized in Arden, AR for their significant resistance to tampering. This ensures that results are reliable and honest, depriving individuals of opportunities to alter or falsify test outcomes, unlike other testing methods vulnerable to manipulation.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Arden, AR
With numerous testing centers spread across the country, including locations in Arden, AR, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. These centers ensure that testing is quick, easily accessible, and efficient, minimizing any potential inconvenience to clients.
Simple, Confidential Process in Arden, AR
The process for hair follicle testing in Arden, AR is both simple and highly confidential, ensuring client privacy. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to uphold discretion and user-friendliness, addressing any privacy and convenience concerns.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Arden, AR
Cost-effective pricing and rapid result turnaround make hair follicle testing in Arden, AR accessible to businesses of all sizes. This service not only ensures competitive value but also quick access to important information, reinforcing confidence and satisfaction.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Arden, AR
Hair follicle testing in Arden, AR offers unmatched precision and swiftness in identifying drug use. This method ensures high accuracy, providing clear insights into substance consumption. By relying on hair analysis, results are achieved quickly, reducing the waiting time typically associated with other forms of testing.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Arden, AR
Employers in Arden, AR can trust hair follicle tests to uphold drug-free policies. By helping maintain compliance and reduce litigation risks, these tests enhance workplace safety and provide peace of mind to companies committed to upholding high standards.
