Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Using hair samples has emerged as an effective method for identifying the consumption of alcohol and drugs. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake, as biomarkers become embedded within the fibers of the growing strands. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can reveal alcohol and drug usage for around three months. This method is easy to execute, comparatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Acquiring a 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the girth of a #2 pencil) from the area nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional substances, or tests that exceed ten panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested for measuring the sample. If head hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be procured. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing drug test results encompass four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing within the laboratory’s framework. This step ensures correct sealing and shipping of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary evaluation for drug abuse. It provides an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, but a positive outcome requires confirmation to hold validity in court. Any presumptively positive samples in Screening mandate further confirmation.
Should a sample appear presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a noticeably lower concentration than might occur using other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening is among the toughest techniques to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening finding is done via techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation falls under the review of both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair testing stands out against traditional urine tests with its improved detection accuracy and dependability. In Weaubleau, MO, the benefits of opting for hair follicle testing include superior detection capabilities, providing insights into drug usage measures that urine tests might miss. This makes hair testing an appealing choice for various drug detection needs.
Offering a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance usage, hair follicle testing in Weaubleau, MO, provides an extensive detection timeframe of up to 90 days. This broadened window enables employers to thoroughly assess potential employees' or current staff's past drug use, offering a thorough perspective on their long-term habits.
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the chances of tampering, presenting an honest and unaltered assessment of drug use. In Weaubleau, MO, this form of testing ensures that employers and legal entities receive results that are both reliable and unquestionable, given the difficulty of manipulating such samples.
With accessible locations across Weaubleau, MO, and nationwide, drug testing services become straightforward and convenient. Accredited Drug Testing's broad network of centers ensures that testing is nothing short of easy, quick, and stress-free, supporting employers and individuals in seamless drug testing arrangements.
The hair follicle testing process in Weaubleau, MO, remains simple and confidential. The entire procedure, from ordering to sample collection and result dissemination, is straightforward, promising privacy and ease. This clarity and commitment to confidentiality alleviate any concerns surrounding personal information protection.
In Weaubleau, MO, the combination of competitive pricing and fast result turnaround makes hair follicle testing a practical option for businesses of all scales. Clients enjoy excellent value with cost-effective service options that provide reassurance and support timely decision-making with their quick processing times.
In Weaubleau, MO, hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision and swiftness. This advanced method provides an advantage in quickly detecting substance use with high accuracy, making it an indispensable tool for employers. The capability of hair testing to reveal drug consumption ensures reliable and trustworthy results, facilitating informed decision-making in workplaces.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Weaubleau, MO, supports employers in upholding workplace drug policies effectively. It aids in compliance, minimizes legal complications, and boosts workplace safety by reliably detecting drug use, fostering a more secure work environment and peace of mind for company leadership.
