Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely considered an effective means of detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fiber structure of the hair as it grows. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal a history of substance intake spanning up to roughly 90 days. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A sample of 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg, suitable for both screening and confirmation. For EtG enhancements or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilize a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. In cases where scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test procedure comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes additional data entry if not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary scan for substance abuse. While cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to stand in a legal context. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo confirmatory analysis.
If the Screening stage yields a presumptive positive, additional hair from the initial sample enters the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly complex.
Confirmation of a positive screening result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples indicating presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and holds ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly used, but the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Art, TX. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, providing employers and institutions with a reliable assessment method, as compared to traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Art, TX. Hair follicle testing captures drug use over an extended duration, up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive view of an employee’s or applicant’s drug history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Art, TX. The risk of sample tampering is significantly reduced with hair follicle tests, ensuring results that remain reliable and incontrovertible.
Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Art, TX. Enjoy hassle-free access to testing services with our extensive network of nationwide centers, ensuring quick and easy testing procedures.
Simple, Confidential Process in Art, TX. Ordering, taking, and receiving testing results is a straightforward and discreet process, ensuring privacy and ease at every step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Art, TX. We provide competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times, delivering value and assurance for companies of every size.
Hair Follicle Testing: Fast, Accurate, and Reliable in Art, TX. Precision and speed define the effectiveness of hair follicle drug tests. This method boasts a high degree of accuracy in detecting substance use, surpassing alternatives by providing trustworthy results in record time.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Art, TX. Hair follicle testing supports workplace drug policies, minimizing legal risks and elevating workplace safety by ensuring adherence to drug-free commitments.
