Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective approach for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month window for recognizing alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 strands of hair (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other types (face, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal stages in the laboratory assessment of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a sample into a lab’s system, ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid review for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples initially positive in Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample is initially positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), explaining why hair drug screening is the toughest method to conduct.
Confirmation of any initially positive result is performed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Adams, NY emerges superior in reliability and detection accuracy. Hair tests capture a broader picture of substance usage history over time, making them especially useful for workplaces with strict drug policies and compliance needs. This testing method avoids the common pitfalls of short detection windows, offering a robust alternative with its expansive detection timeline.
Hair follicle testing in Adams, NY uncovers drug use across a significantly longer duration—up to 90 days—compared to other methods. This extended detection window provides employers a detailed understanding of an individual's history with substances, serving as a powerful tool in ensuring the maintenance of a drug-free work environment. It allows for informed decision-making in employment.
Adams, NY leverages hair follicle tests to minimize the risk of tampered samples. This testing method is integral for ensuring the integrity of the results, as the challenges of adulterating a hair sample are immense, offering dependable answers for both employers and legal entities. The process stands as a nearly tamper-proof verification method, thereby preserving confidence in the testing procedure.
Accredited Drug Testing offers the ease of nationwide locations, including services in Adams, NY. This extensive reach makes it convenient for individuals and firms to access drug testing with minimal hassle, ensuring timely and efficient service. Whether local or across the country, our testing centers are easily accessible, affirming seamless and quick testing access.
In Adams, NY, hair follicle drug testing is defined by a simple and private process covering ordering, collecting, and receiving results. The confidentiality maintained throughout ensures user privacy, making it an approachable and straightforward option for individuals concerned with discretion and ease who require dependable testing services.
With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Adams, NY offers excellent value for businesses irrespective of size. Our cost-effective approach ensures affordability is aligned with the quick delivery of results, paving the way for conveniences without compromising on timely insights, proving vital for a variety of organizational needs.
In Adams, NY, hair follicle drug testing distinguishes itself through its blend of precision and efficiency, offering quick and accurate results. A critical advantage of hair testing is its capability to accurately detect substance use long termed, ensuring users' past actions are reliably scrutinized. This method not only provides fast results but also ensures accuracy that employers and individuals can unreservedly trust.
Employers in Adams, NY benefit from hair follicle testing by securing compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing legal liabilities. The peace of mind this method provides is invaluable, as it upholds a safer working environment, ensuring both compliance and safety. This improved security and assurance mean companies can mitigate risks efficiently.