Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Silver Hill, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Within the hair structure, long-term traces of alcohol and other drugs are held by capturing markers within the strands as they grow. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can reveal a detection span of up to around three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easy to tamper with, and can be shipped without hassle.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) gathered nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, enhancements, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. Reference to head hair exclusively pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all remaining hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test outcome involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the initial intake of a sample into the lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample's seal and secure shipping, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entries not accounted for by an electronic custody trail.

Screening constitutes a preliminary rapid analysis for potential drug abuse. While Screening serves as a budget-friendly approach to rule out drug presence in most samples, a confirmed positive result is essential for legal proceedings. Any samples flagged as likely positive in Screening mandate further confirmation.

When a sample returns presumptively positive from Screening, additional hair from the original sample is collected and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than via other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing poses the highest challenge in methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing precedes confirmation for any presumptive positive samples. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug screenings can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection range.
• Difficulty to tamper: Hair drug tests are tough to cheat, rendering the findings more reliable.
• Gives historical perspective: These tests can outline patterns of drug consumption over a timeline, not just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses are often pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences may impact the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly named "hair follicle tests", the examination actually assesses the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Silver Hill, MD
Hair follicle testing in Silver Hill surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests capture a longer history of drug use, providing a reliable method for employers and legal systems.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Silver Hill, MD
The extended detection capability of hair follicle tests in Silver Hill reaches up to 90 days, offering a detailed view of an individual’s drug history. This helps employers accurately assess the substance use patterns of employees or candidates.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Silver Hill, MD
Hair follicle testing dramatically reduces the likelihood of sample tampering, making it a trusted, reliable option in Silver Hill, MD. The testing method ensures that results are legitimate and unquestionable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Silver Hill, MD
With numerous nationwide testing centers, including in Silver Hill, MD, accessing hair follicle testing services is straightforward, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Silver Hill, MD
The hair follicle testing process in Silver Hill is both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy at all stages—from order placement to obtaining results—alleviating users’ concerns about sensitivity and ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Silver Hill, MD
Providing competitive pricing structures, hair follicle testing in Silver Hill offers excellent value with rapid results, catering to businesses of various sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Silver Hill, MD
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Silver Hill, MD make them a preferred choice for detecting substance use. With their ability to accurately identify drug traces, they provide high-efficiency results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Silver Hill, MD
Using hair follicle testing in Silver Hill helps employers align with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing the safety of their work environment.

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