Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive timeline of drug and alcohol use, as biomarkers are captured within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. By collecting hair near the scalp, a detection window of roughly three months for alcohol and drugs can be established. Hair samples are straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and validation. For EtG assessments, additional tests, and tests featuring more than 10 panels, a specimen amounting to 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. 'Head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any further data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system is completed.
Screening is a preliminary, efficient examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective strategy to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at far lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if required. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and excludes the hair follicle below the scalp.
In Phillips, ME, hair follicle drug tests outperform traditional urine tests in numerous ways. A significant advantage is their higher detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests screen for substances over a longer period, ensuring that past drug use is not missed. Unlike urine tests, which are more easily manipulated, hair testing reliably presents an individual's drug use history over several months.
Employers in Phillips, ME benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests, which can identify drug use up to 90 days prior. This method offers a comprehensive view of a person’s substance use, allowing employers to make informed decisions about hiring and employee performance. Such an extended window supports thorough evaluations beyond what traditional tests can offer.
Hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant solution in Phillips, ME, significantly reducing the possibility of sample tampering. The integrity of hair samples makes it virtually impossible to cheat, presenting trusted and indisputable results. This reliability is crucial for employers and officials who need to ensure the authenticity of drug test results.
With convenient testing locations nationally and locally within Phillips, ME, our centers provide easy access to drug testing services. The widespread availability allows individuals and companies to conduct necessary tests quickly and without hassle, supporting a seamless process across varied geographic locations.
In Phillips, ME, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Individuals can order, complete, and access their results with ease, addressing any privacy concerns effectively. The entire process is designed for simplicity, ensuring a user-friendly experience from start to finish.
Our hair follicle drug testing in Phillips, ME is marked by competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, delivering excellent value for businesses of all sizes. The affordability of our services, combined with the speed of results, provides a clear advantage, ensuring businesses maintain compliance without breaking their budget.
The effectiveness of hair follicle drug testing is evident in the quick and precise results it provides in Phillips, ME. This method delivers high accuracy in detecting drug use, making it an invaluable tool for employers and legal authorities alike. Hair tests cover a broad spectrum of substances with results being both reliable and swift, ensuring clear determinations of substance use history.
For employers in Phillips, ME, utilizing hair follicle drug tests can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind. This method reduces legal risks associated with substance use in the workplace and enhances overall safety, fostering a more secure and productive work environment.
