Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair evaluations have emerged as an effective measure for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can present up to roughly a three-month window of detection for substances like alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four core steps, which are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening functions as an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Any samples identified as presumptively positive require supplementary confirmation.
If Screening identifies a sample as presumptively positive, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluids), which is why hair testing poses the greatest challenge in execution.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo a washing procedure before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the actual test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Utica, OH: Hair follicle testing prevails over traditional urine tests due to its unmatched detection reliability. The extended detection window and ability to provide highly accurate data set hair testing apart, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of substance use.
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests offer superior detection capabilities, particularly for long-term drug use, providing a clear insight into an individual's substance habits.
Utica, OH: Hair follicle drug testing offers an extended detection window, capturing substance use history up to 90 days. This gives employers and authorities a thorough understanding of an individual's long-term drug habits.
For employers in Utica, this longer detection period lets them evaluate the integrity and reliability of potential or current employees, ensuring informed decision-making.
Utica, OH: Hair follicle tests are highly tamper-resistant, offering an edge over other testing methods. The technical nature of these tests makes sample adulteration extremely challenging, ensuring trust in the results.
This method’s resistance to tampering provides reliable, unquestionable outcomes, critical for maintaining integrity in testing processes.
Utica, OH: With numerous testing centers available nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing services is straightforward and hassle-free, regardless of your location.
Our local and widespread presence ensures that getting tested is always convenient, supporting efficient and timely testing processes for all users.
Utica, OH: The hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, from ordering to collecting and finally receiving results, addressing privacy and convenience concerns effectively.
Ease of use is a hallmark of this process, with discreet, user-friendly systems ensuring stress-free experiences for all participants.
Utica, OH: Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing provides both value and efficiency, catering to companies of all sizes seeking quality drug testing solutions.
Affordable options coupled with swift results delivery make these tests a smart choice for businesses focused on cost-effectiveness without sacrificing reliability.
Utica, OH: Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for delivering fast, precise, and reliable outcomes. This method excels in detecting substance use with high accuracy, making it the preferred choice for many looking for dependable results.
Choosing hair follicle testing means choosing precision. The process is swift, ensuring results are delivered promptly without compromising accuracy, providing peace of mind to all stakeholders involved.
Utica, OH: Implementing hair follicle tests in workplace policies ensures adherence to drug-free environments, minimizing legal risks while enhancing workplace safety and security.
Employers gain peace of mind knowing their compliance measures are thorough and reliable, fostering a secure and productive workforce.
