Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair capture biomarkers within their fibers as they grow, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When taken near the scalp, these strands can reveal drug and alcohol use over up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands, equivalent to a pencil thickness, yields approximately 100mg, ideal for testing. For EtG, additional assessments, or for panels exceeding 10 in number, 150mg of hair is advised. Measuring the hair sample on a jeweler’s scale is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types, such as facial or axillary.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug tests is generally divided into four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the sample's initial entry into a lab system, ensuring it was properly sealed and transported, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing necessary data entry absent from electronic systems.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for illicit substances. While cost-efficient and effective for most samples, positive screenings must be confirmed to stand in legal proceedings. Any samples that test potentially positive require further confirmation.
For samples deemed potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the collected sample for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted at lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid testing, which makes hair screening particularly complex.
Verification of any positive screening results is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS processes. Necessary washes are performed on all presumptive positive samples before confirmation. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure focuses on the hair fiber, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle tests provide an edge over traditional urine tests in Norwich, NY with superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers a longer window for identifying substances, ensuring employers receive an accurate assessment of an individual's drug history. This method especially benefits firms maintaining zero-tolerance policies, surpassing urine tests which are limited by a shorter detection span.
The extended detection period of hair follicle testing in Norwich, NY provides employers with a comprehensive overview of a potential or current employee's drug-use history. With the capacity to detect substance usage for up to 90 days, hair testing delivers invaluable insight into an individual's long-term habits, enabling employers to make informed decisions grounded in a complete understanding of a candidate's or employee's history.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Norwich, NY significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, a common concern in drug screening processes. This method ensures that employers receive reliable and trustworthy results, providing an assurance that the findings are accurate and uncontested. The robust defenses against sample manipulation make hair follicle testing more reliable than other testing forms.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing services thanks to nationwide locations, including those in Norwich, NY. Our expansive network ensures that individuals and companies enjoy hassle-free access to drug testing facilities, making the process quick and convenient. The wide availability of testing centers simplifies planning and logistics, providing accessibility to high-quality services wherever they're needed.
In Norwich, NY, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, designed to prioritize the privacy and ease of clients. From ordering tests to receiving results, the process is streamlined and secure, allowing individuals to manage their testing needs with discretion. This simple procedure alleviates concerns around privacy while ensuring results are delivered efficiently and confidentially.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Norwich, NY. Our affordable rates ensure high-quality hair testing services are accessible to firms of all sizes without compromising on speed or accuracy. Quick response times provide employers with peace of mind and efficient decision-making, proving the value of investing in reliable drug testing measures.
Hair follicle drug testing stands out in Norwich, NY for its fast and precise results. Companies benefit from the remarkable accuracy of hair testing in detecting substance usage, making it an ideal choice for maintaining high standards of safety and reliability in the workplace.
The method is celebrated for delivering quick answers to pressing concerns without sacrificing trust and accuracy in the information it provides.
Employing hair follicle testing in Norwich, NY guarantees compliance with workplace drug-free policies, significantly reducing legal risks and enhancing overall safety. For employers, utilizing this method means greater peace of mind and confidence in adhering to regulatory standards while ensuring their work environment remains secure and healthy.
This contributes to streamlined operations and reduced workplace liabilities.
