Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a repository for biomarkers over time by embedding them within the growing strand. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can offer a detection timeframe of up to 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
An ideal screening and confirmation sample is a 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, totaling 100mg. For EtG tests, additional panels, and those beyond 10 tests, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. All other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary) are considered body hair.
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in laboratory processing for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage of entering a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample has been appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and incorporates any additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening is cost-effective for initially ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is performed by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as necessary. The complete process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the method analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Brookshire, TX surpasses urine tests by providing enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Benefits of hair tests include a longer period of detection, which ensures a deeper insight into an individual's drug use history, offering a more robust alternative to traditional urine tests.
Employers in Brookshire, TX benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle drug tests, which can identify substance use up to 90 days back. This extensive coverage provides a complete overview of an individual's drug history, aiding informed employment decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Brookshire, TX significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. Reliability and integrity of results are ensured, as the testing method is nearly impervious to tampering, offering trustworthy outcomes for employers and legal entities alike.
Accredited Drug Testing offers abundant, accessible testing locations nationwide, including in Brookshire, TX. This regional availability ensures quick and convenient access for testing needs, simplifying the process for individuals and employers alike.
In Brookshire, TX, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are streamlined for ease and privacy, addressing any concerns while ensuring a smooth experience.
Competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround in Brookshire, TX make hair follicle testing an appealing option for businesses of all sizes. We prioritize offering excellent value while upholding high standards of reliability and efficiency.
In Brookshire, TX, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and rapid results, ensuring accurate detection of substance use. Speed and accuracy are integral, providing reliable insights into an individual's drug history, which is crucial for timely decision-making.
By adopting hair follicle testing in Brookshire, TX, employers can ensure compliance with workplace drug policies, enhancing safety and minimizing legal risks. This effective testing method contributes to peace of mind, knowing the workplace remains drug-free.
