Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug exposure by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can provide a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields approximately 100mg, which is the optimal weight for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, it is advisable to obtain 150mg of the specimen. A jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. The term "head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
Processing a drug test result in the lab involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning incorporates the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s workflow. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning it a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method for dismissing drug use in most specimens, any positive result during Screening must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives from Screening necessitate a secondary validation.
In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is retrieved from the initial batch and prepared for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing poses a greater challenge in execution.
Confirming positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle tests in The Hammocks, FL, have proven superiority over traditional urine tests due to their enhanced detection accuracy. These advanced tests capture a much broader scope of substance use, providing a reliable and comprehensive detection process that other methods lack.
The ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days sets hair follicle testing in The Hammocks, FL apart, offering employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history.
This extended observation period means employers can make informed hiring and retention decisions.
Hair follicle testing in The Hammocks, FL significantly minimizes the risk of adulteration. This tamper-resistant testing method ensures that the results obtained are reliable and there is minimal room for manipulation, providing unquestionable outcomes.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including in The Hammocks, FL, getting a hair follicle test has never been easier. Our comprehensive network of testing centers ensures that individuals can access tests at their convenience, making the process quick and hassle-free.
The process for hair follicle testing in The Hammocks, FL is both simple and confidential. Ordering and receiving test results is streamlined to protect privacy, ensuring clients feel secure throughout the process. Easiness of use reassures individuals and companies alike.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, our services in The Hammocks, FL provide excellent value. With affordable hair follicle testing, businesses of all sizes can ensure effective drug screening without financial strain, paired with swift results delivery.
In The Hammocks, FL, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its swift, precise outcomes. This method offers unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use, making it a preferred choice for ensuring reliable results.
Fast Turnaround ensures timely results while maintaining a rigorous standard of integrity and precision in testing.
For employers in The Hammocks, FL, hair follicle testing ensures better compliance with workplace drug policies, reducing legal exposure. This testing method enhances the overall safety and productivity of the workforce, contributing to a more secure work environment.
Compliance Assurance brings peace of mind.