Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now viewed as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other substances. It's easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advised. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes any other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial intake of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any remaining data entry omitted from an electronic chain of custody procedure.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening offers a cost-saving approach to eliminating drug usage in most cases, any positive result from Screening must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Screening-determined presumptive positives necessitate follow-up confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex technique to conduct.
Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples indicating presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When it comes to drug testing in Bethesda, AR, hair follicle tests outweigh urine tests in precision and trustworthiness. Hair tests provide a broader detection window, capturing substance use over several months.
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle assessments in Bethesda offer unmatched detection accuracy. This leads to greater reliability in outcomes, which is why more businesses and authorities prefer them over traditional urine-based testing methods.
In Bethesda, AR, the extended detection capabilities of hair follicle tests stand out. They track drug usage for up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history.
Employers gain an enhanced understanding of an applicant's past drug use through hair testing, crucial for ensuring a safe and compliant workplace. This prolonged detection window cannot be achieved with shorter-term tests.
Hair follicle testing in Bethesda, AR, offers a significant reduction in test interference risks. Unlike urine tests, where samples can be manipulated, hair tests provide tamper-proof results every time.
The collection process, coupled with advanced detection methods, assures reliable outcomes. This robustness against tampering ensures accurate substance use assessments.
With numerous testing centers, including those in Bethesda, AR, accessing drug testing services is straightforward and efficient. Nationwide facilities provide seamless and convenient testing options.
Our local and national network ensures minimal delays, offering quick and accessible testing. This convenience enables individuals and businesses to proceed with confidence and assurance.
In Bethesda, AR, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. It ensures privacy from ordering to receiving results, addressing user concerns elegantly.
Clients appreciate the simplicity of submission and outcome retrieval, guaranteeing ease of access to necessary services. This process builds trust and reassurance around drug testing.
Our testing solutions in Bethesda, AR, feature competitive pricing and rapid test results. This ensures value and satisfaction for companies of varying sizes and requirements.
Fast result delivery combined with cost-effective service models contributes to peace of mind, reflecting our dedication to both excellence and client satisfaction in drug testing.
The efficacy of hair follicle drug tests is unparalleled in Bethesda, AR. These tests deliver quick results with pinpoint accuracy, highlighting any substance use. Whether for employment, legal, or personal purposes, these tests provide undeniable certainty.
The sophisticated technology used in hair follicle testing ensures precise detection of drug metabolites. The accuracy surpasses traditional methods, offering reliable insights for all testing needs.
Employers in Bethesda, AR, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. It assures adherence to drug-free policies, mitigating potential legal challenges while enhancing safety protocols.
These tests help create environments that discourage drug use, reducing workplace hazards and securing compliance with industry regulations. This benefits both companies and their staff.