Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair may offer up to an estimated 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for initial and confirmation testing. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary procedures: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. It incorporates the validation that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, the attribution of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and the completion of any supplemental data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive result must be corroborated to be permissible in court. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate verification.
If a sample yields a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash prior to confirmation if needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Alto, TX - Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. It can discover substance use over an extended timeframe, offering a more comprehensive view compared to the limited scope of urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Alto, TX - Hair follicle testing provides a much longer period for drug use detection, up to 90 days. This benefit allows employers to gain a comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's history with substance use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Alto, TX - Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. Its design ensures reliable and unquestionable results, safeguarding against any attempts to manipulate the test outcome.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Alto, TX - Our extensive network of testing centers across the Nation, including Alto, TX, simplifies quick, hassle-free access to drug testing services, providing maximum convenience for all clients.
Simple, Confidential Process in Alto, TX - The process for ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward yet confidential, addressing privacy concerns while optimizing ease of use for worry-free testing.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Alto, TX - Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift results processing, ensuring excellent value and prompt service for companies of various sizes, solidifying confidence in their testing investment.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Alto, TX - Hair follicle drug testing provides quick and precise outcomes, making it an excellent choice for substance detection. With its high accuracy, it reliably identifies drug use, ensuring employers and authorities receive dependable data.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Alto, TX - By utilizing hair follicle testing, employers can maintain compliance with drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks, and nurturing a safe workplace environment. This method fosters assurance and stability for the company.
