Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by encasing biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. If gathered near the scalp, hair can offer about a 3-month detection span for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, the same amount of body hair may be taken. In context, head hair specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The process for generating laboratory drug test results involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample enters a lab’s system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a rapid initial assessment to detect commonly abused drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screening result needs confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples with a presumptive positive result from Screening demand further confirmation.
For samples showing a presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for preparation during Extraction. At this stage, drugs are drawn from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging method to implement.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, alongside accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often named "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing emerges as superior in Parkers Crossroads, TN, when compared to traditional urine tests due to its unmatched detection accuracy. Unlike urine testing, which reflects recent drug history, hair tests provide a more comprehensive look at a person’s substance use, stretching back up to 90 days. Hair testing is not affected by short fluctuation in a user’s drug levels, offering better consistent results over time.
This comprehensive coverage offers employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s history, improving decision-making processes.
Hair follicle testing in Parkers Crossroads, TN, offers an extended detection window for drug use spanning up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe allows employers to gain a holistic perspective on an applicant or existing employee's substance usage history.
The longer time horizon gives businesses peace of mind that they are getting a detailed overview of any drug use that may have occurred, providing a broader context than a standard short-window urine test can deliver.
In Parkers Crossroads, TN, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant method for drug detection. The solid nature of hair samples makes them difficult to adulterate, minimizing the risk of manipulation.
This feature ensures that the results from hair testing remain trustworthy and indisputable, providing a reliable basis for making informed decisions devoid of concerns about compromised integrity of the samples.
Hence, individuals cannot easily mislead results ensuring credibility is maintained throughout the process.
Residents and employers in Parkers Crossroads, TN, can benefit greatly from our convenient testing locations. These sites, part of a broad network, allow easy and quick access to drug testing services without the hassle. Our nationwide presence ensures that wherever one may be, a reliable testing location is just around the corner, making the process smooth and efficient.
This extensive network guarantees that both employers and individuals alike have access to necessary drug testing whenever needed.
The process of hair follicle testing in Parkers Crossroads, TN is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, providing peace of mind to clients who value their privacy. Ordering a test, going through the procedure, and receiving the results are streamlined to ensure ease of use.
Confidentiality is protected at every stage, addressing privacy concerns effectively. Our transparent process ensures that individuals can participate in drug testing with confidence knowing their information is kept secure.
In Parkers Crossroads, TN, Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests. This affordability ensures that businesses of every size can access high-quality drug testing services without straining their budgets.
Our rapid processing times not only boost value but also provide peace of mind efficiently to employers, enabling them to make timely, informed decisions regarding their workforce and maintaining compliance with workplace standards.
In Parkers Crossroads, TN, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and rapid results, operating with high accuracy in detecting substance use. These tests are engineered to minimize error, ensuring both their reliability and swift turnaround. Comparatively, where urine tests may present inconsistencies due to various factors, hair testing presents a superior and refined method for identifying drug use.
Furthermore, the speedy processing of results reduces waiting times significantly, providing individuals and employers with fast, decisive outcomes.
For employers in Parkers Crossroads, TN, hair follicle testing offers essential benefits for ensuring workplace compliance and safety. By integrating hair testing into drug-free policy measures, employers can efficiently adhere to legal standards and secure a safer working environment.
This method not only minimizes legal risks but also fosters a trustworthy workplace culture. Employers gain peace of mind knowing that comprehensive, accurate measures are in place to protect their teams and their businesses from drug-related incidents.
