Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The perception of hair testing has evolved into recognizing it as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over an estimated 3-month duration. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to alter, and convenient for shipping.
A sample close to 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp can yield 100mg, optimal for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale, the specimen should be weighed. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. The term head hair explicitly refers to scalp hair, while body hair covers other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).
Overview of the Process
The primary steps in laboratory processing for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary processing phase, which incorporates aspects like confirming the sample’s proper sealing and dispatch, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and entering any necessary data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Though Screening is economical for eliminating drug use in most cases, a positive outcome needs confirmation for court validity. Presumptively positive Screening samples necessitate further confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Positive screening results require Confirmation through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Wash procedures precede confirmation for presumptive positives as necessary. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning through Confirmation meets the standards of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: When termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually involves examining the hair strand instead of the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Covington, IN lies in its superior detection and reliability. Hair tests offer a much broader window of detection, effectively capturing substance use that urine tests might miss. This ensures a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug history.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Covington, IN, allows for the observation of drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This provides employers with a complete picture of an individual's substance habits, presenting a thorough understanding of their history.
Hair follicle tests in Covington, IN, are known for their tamper-resistant nature, ensuring the integrity of results. The risk of adulteration is significantly minimized, making the outcomes reliable and unquestionable, unlike other testing methods that are more susceptible to tampering.
With convenient nationwide locations, including those in Covington, IN, accessing testing services is easy and hassle-free. Our nationwide network ensures that quick testing services are always accessible, prioritizing efficiency and convenience for all clients.
The process in Covington, IN, is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step ensures privacy and ease. This caters to individuals' concerns about discretion, guaranteeing a stress-free testing experience.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Covington, IN, our services present excellent value for companies of all sizes. Competitive pricing structures ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining swift result delivery to facilitate timely decision-making.
In Covington, IN, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are highly precise in detecting substance use, providing assurance and peace of mind to all stakeholders involved. Their high level of accuracy is unmatched, ensuring that detected substances reflect true usage without error.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Covington, IN, ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers. It supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks. This testing method fortifies workplace safety, delivering a secure environment for all employees.
