Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair traps biomarkers in the fibers of the strand, offering a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use. When taken near the scalp, hair can present a detection window of approximately 3 months for drugs and alcohol. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil size) near the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. We advocate for weighing the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent portion of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we solely refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in processing a lab drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step checks that the sample remains sealed and properly sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and manages any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary quick analysis for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result needs confirmation to be considered valid in court. Any samples presumed positive in Screening require further verification.
If a sample appears presumptively positive in the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique.
Confirmation of any positive screen results occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When examining testing methods in Riverside, OH, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine screenings. Hair tests provide more accurate and reliable results due to their ability to capture a broader scope of substance use, unlike urine tests, which are limited to recent consumption.
The benefits of hair testing include a more comprehensive detection capability, offering Riverside employers an unparalleled level of insight into an individual’s substance history. This makes hair follicle tests a superior choice for screening.
In Riverside, OH, hair follicle testing is unmatched in its capability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides employers with a thorough view of a candidate or employee's substance use history, vastly exceeding the shorter detection span of urine tests.
This method's comprehensive reach into past substance use allows Riverside employers to better evaluate long-term behavior, crucial for making informed hiring decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Riverside, OH, is notably tamper-resistant, presenting a significant deterrent to sample adulteration. Its design inherently protects against manipulation, ensuring results remain unquestionably accurate and reliable, a key advantage over other testing forms susceptible to tampering.
This high level of integrity in testing reassures employers and individuals alike, providing undeniable confidence in the results obtained from hair follicle tests.
With convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Riverside, OH, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that clients can easily reach testing centers, making the process seamless and stress-free.
The proximity of these centers facilitates rapid access, reducing downtime and providing businesses and individuals in Riverside with quick, efficient services, accommodating their needs without inconveniences.
In Riverside, OH, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering a test to collecting and obtaining results, the process is designed to be user-friendly and discreet, ensuring peace of mind.
By prioritizing confidentiality, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that individuals feel secure and at ease, reinforcing trust in the testing process and protecting sensitive information from exposure.
In Riverside, OH, our competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times offer exceptional value for companies of all sizes. Hair follicle testing is not only affordable but also efficient, ensuring that businesses receive quick and dependable results without breaking the budget.
This combination of cost-effectiveness and rapid service allows Riverside companies to maintain their drug detection programs efficiently, supporting them in upholding workplace standards diligently.
In Riverside, OH, hair follicle drug tests provide fast and accurate results. Their enhanced precision ensures high reliability when detecting substance use, making them an excellent option for those who need timely and trustworthy assessments. The efficiency of this testing method offers peace of mind with prompt results.
Employers in Riverside can rely on hair follicle tests for quick results, eliminating long waiting periods. The rapid turnaround of results allows employers to make informed decisions swiftly, maintaining workplace integrity and safety.
Utilizing hair follicle testing within Riverside, OH, provides employers compliance and peace of mind. By integrating this method into drug-free workplace policies, employers significantly reduce legal risks and enhance safety and productivity.
Hair tests offer certainty in maintaining a drug-free working environment, fostering a culture of trust and reliability. This, in turn, not only ensures compliance but also boosts the employer’s reputation for ensuring safety.
