Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures markers of substance use within the strands as they grow, providing an extended timeline for detection. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for various substances. It is simple to collect, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to deliver for analysis.
A sample consisting of a 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) from close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmatory tests. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If there is no scalp hair available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. Note, 'head hair' refers solely to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key phases in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory's workflow. This step checks the integrity of the sample's seal and shipping process, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to rule out drug consumption for most samples, a positive Screening result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than other testing techniques (like urine or oral fluid testing), which makes hair drug analysis one of the more challenging methodologies.
To confirm any positive result from Screening, tests such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. All samples showing presumptive positives are washed before confirmation, if required. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the testing is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicles beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing In Gloverville, SC, the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are evident. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing a wider window of substance use for up to 90 days. This ensures a comprehensive analysis, compared to the shorter detection periods of urine tests.
Extended Detection Window Hair follicle testing in Gloverville, SC, provides an extended drug detection window of up to 90 days. This method gives employers a clearer and more expansive view of an individual's substance use history, benefiting both hiring decisions and ongoing employment monitoring.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method Hair follicle tests in Gloverville, SC, offer a significant advantage due to their resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, hair sample collection reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring dependable and unquestionable results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations Accredited Drug Testing facilitates ease of access to service through numerous centers across Gloverville, SC, and Nationwide. The convenience of local and broad testing locations ensures a seamless, quick, and hassle-free testing process for everyone involved.
Simple, Confidential Process In Gloverville, SC, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and discreet. From ordering the test to obtaining results, privacy is a top priority, providing users with a seamless experience while addressing any concerns related to confidentiality and ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround Offering competitive pricing structures, hair follicle testing in Gloverville, SC, ensures affordability without compromising quality. The fast turnaround times coupled with economical rates provide excellent value, making it a smart choice for businesses of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results Hair follicle drug testing in Gloverville, SC, is renowned for its speed and precision. These tests are highly accurate, detecting substance use with great reliability. With a swift turnaround time for results, individuals and organizations can rely on these tests for timely insights into drug use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers Utilizing hair follicle testing in Gloverville, SC, helps employers maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, offering peace of mind to employers and HR professionals.
