Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected from near the scalp, hair can offer an approximately three-month detection span for alcohol and substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. “Head hair†specifically refers to scalp hair, while “body hair†encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial sample processing into a lab's system. This process involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient approach to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Presumptively positive samples require secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a concentration much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation, as needed. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine testing in Flat Woods, TN, hair follicle testing stands out with superior detection accuracy. The hair test's ability to identify drug use over a much longer period surpasses that of urine tests, providing more comprehensive insights into substance use history.
The advantages of hair testing over urine tests are marked by its nearly impossible sample alteration and a broader detection timeline. This makes hair follicle tests a more robust option, especially for entities enforcing strict drug policies where reliability and accuracy are crucial.
In Flat Woods, TN, the hair follicle test offers an extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This capability surpasses the limited detection period of urine tests, offering employers a detailed view of an individual's history with substances.
The ability to detect drugs for an extended period provides employers in Flat Woods, TN, with a deeper perspective on a candidate or employee's substance use history, enabling more informed decision-making in their drug-free workplace initiatives.
The robust and tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug tests significantly diminishes the chance of result manipulation in Flat Woods, TN. This testing method is a reliable choice for organizations seeking trustworthy results in their drug testing processes.
By effectively minimizing the risk of sample adulteration, hair follicle tests in Flat Woods, TN, deliver results that employers and legal entities can trust, maintaining the integrity of drug use screenings.
With numerous nationwide testing facilities, including those in Flat Woods, TN, accessibility to hair follicle testing is simplified. These centers offer quick and straightforward testing services, ensuring a hassle-free experience for those in need.
The ease of accessing testing centers in Flat Woods, TN, and beyond ensures that individuals and businesses have convenient solutions for their drug testing needs, saving time and reducing effort in the process.
The hair follicle testing process in Flat Woods, TN, is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering to obtaining results, the process ensures user confidentiality while maintaining ease of processing.
In Flat Woods, TN, individuals undergoing hair follicle testing enjoy a simple and discreet process, ensuring personal information is handled securely while delivering prompt and reliable results.
Flat Woods, TN, offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, accompanied by fast result turnaround times. This delivers excellent value, reassuring companies with various budgets focused on maintaining quality drug testing policies.
Affordable rates paired with rapid processing times make hair follicle drug testing in Flat Woods, TN, a cost-effective choice for businesses, ensuring they receive superior service without straining their budgets.
The hair follicle drug testing process in Flat Woods, TN, is renowned for its precision and quick results, making it an excellent choice for detecting substance use accurately. This method ensures the swift identification of illegal substances, offering reliable data that help employers make informed decisions.
Hair follicle tests are designed to deliver fast, accurate results, ensuring potential substance use is detected without delay. The rapid turnaround time is accompanied by high reliability, making it the preferred choice for those in need of trustworthy drug testing services.
Employers in Flat Woods, TN, benefit from peace of mind using hair follicle tests, aligning with drug-free workplace policies while mitigating legal risks. This testing method enhances safety and compliance, ensuring adherence to set regulations.
The adoption of hair follicle testing by employers helps uphold compliance with workplace drug regulations, fostering a safe environment and reducing the potential for legal ramifications related to drug policies in Flat Woods, TN.
