Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a repository for long-term evidence of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fiber. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to three months. It is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for testing. For EtG, additional testing, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory process comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails integrating the sample into a laboratory’s system, ensuring it was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data recording not included in an electronic chain of custody process.
Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient approach for most samples, any positive result in Screening requires further confirmation for legal acceptance. Presumptive positives demand an additional confirmation step.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, more hair is obtained from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated at a lower concentration than in other techniques (like urine or oral fluid tests), making hair drug analysis the most challenging test to conduct.
Confirmation of positive results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All potentially positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The comprehensive laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Advantages of Hair Over Urine Testing in Adairville, KY: Hair follicle testing is emerging as a superior method due to its heightened accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests evaluate recent drug use, hair tests offer a longer detection window, making them an invaluable tool for employers seeking stringent compliance and thoroughness in Adairville.
Extended Detection Period in Adairville, KY: One of the primary benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to trace drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This offers employers a detailed picture of an applicant or employee's substance use history, ensuring informed decision-making and reinforcing company policies in Adairville.
Secure and Authentic Testing in Adairville, KY: Hair follicle testing offers a robust deterrent against sample tampering. The method's inherent resistance to adulteration provides employers with reliable and unquestionable results, ensuring that the integrity of the drug testing process in Adairville is upheld.
Convenient Testing Facilities in Adairville, KY: Our expansive network of testing centers provides unparalleled convenience for residents and businesses of Adairville. The availability of nationwide and local facilities ensures that accessing testing services is a straightforward and hassle-free experience, minimizing disruptions and promoting quick service.
Confidential and Straightforward in Adairville, KY: The process of hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step addresses the concerns of privacy while ensuring ease of use, allowing individuals in Adairville to partake in drug testing with confidence and assurance.
Cost-Effective and Rapid Service in Adairville, KY: Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing models coupled with fast turnaround times. This combination delivers exceptional value, allowing businesses in Adairville to benefit from reliable results without incurring prohibitive costs, making it a practical choice for companies of all sizes.
Precision and Speed in Adairville, KY: Hair follicle drug testing leads in providing fast, accurate, and reliable results. Its high accuracy stems from its ability to detect various substances over time, surpassing the swift results of urine testing. This ensures that employers and individuals in Adairville can trust in the findings delivered by this advanced method.
Ensuring Compliance and Assurance in Adairville, KY: Utilizing hair follicle testing supports employers in aligning with workplace drug-free policies. This not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, offering peace of mind that the company is operating within regulatory requirements and maintaining a secure environment in Adairville.
