Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drugs and alcohol usage. Hair acts as a repository of long-term alcohol and drug histories by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for a period of up to roughly three months. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both initial screening and follow-up testing. For tests like EtG and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. Note that ‘head hair’ specifically refers to scalp hair. ‘Body hair’ covers all other hair types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially logged into a laboratory’s system. This phase ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome requires verification to be valid in legal proceedings. All samples identified as potentially positive in Screening must undergo a secondary verification.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are separated from the hair at a substantially lower concentration than other testing methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening especially challenging.
Verification of any positive screening result is carried out using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples identified as presumptive positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes assessment under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Burlington, TX, hair follicle testing stands out as a superior alternative to traditional urine testing. With its unparalleled accuracy, it offers detection capabilities that urine tests lack, effectively identifying a wider range of substances and ensuring better reliability in results.
Advantages of Hair Testing:
In Burlington, TX, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, unmatched by traditional methods. While urine tests monitor short-term use, hair tests present insights into substance use over a period up to 90 days, delivering a complete view of an applicant’s or employee’s drug history.
Employers are granted a broader scope of analysis, significantly impacting hiring decisions and workplace safety. Building on this extended detection period, hair testing serves as a pivotal tool for thorough substance checks, aligning with compliance and risk management goals.
One of the standout features of hair follicle drug tests in Burlington, TX, is their tamper-resistant nature. These tests significantly limit the possibilities for sample adulteration, offering results that are both reliable and irrefutable.
The sample collection process itself adds an additional layer of security, ensuring that the integrity of the test is maintained from start to finish. This commitment to accuracy guarantees trustworthy findings, essential for employers and organizations dedicated to maintaining stringent drug-free policies.
One of the key advantages of our hair follicle drug testing service in Burlington, TX, is the convenience provided by our nationwide testing centers. This accessibility ensures all individuals can quickly and easily access testing services without hassle.
Local and national availability enhances user experience, presenting a seamless and efficient testing journey, eliminating delays often encountered with less accessible testing methods.
Hair follicle testing in Burlington, TX, is conducted through a straightforward and confidential process. Ensuring privacy at every stage, from ordering the test to receiving results, the procedure meets the needs of individuals and organizations prioritizing discretion.
The simple process alleviates concerns related to privacy breaches, offering peace of mind to those seeking secure and non-intrusive testing options. This ease of use along with confidentiality underscores the effectiveness of hair testing protocols in Texas.
Affordability in drug testing, combined with fast processing, ensures that businesses in Burlington, TX receive optimal value. Our competitive pricing model includes swift turnaround times that cater to companies, regardless of size, seeking cost-effective drug screening solutions.
The commingling of affordability and rapid results is essential for timely decision-making, granting organizations the ability to maintain stringent oversight on substance use while keeping expenses predictable and manageable.
Hair follicle testing in Burlington, TX, offers fast and accurate results, setting a new benchmark in substance detection methods. Its high precision stems from its minimal margin of error in identifying drug use, providing peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.
Precision matters in ensuring that every case of substance use is caught swiftly, underscoring hair testing’s superiority in delivering dependable findings.
The advantage of hair follicle testing is not just its speed but its reliability too. In Burlington, TX, this method stands out as the epitome of comprehensive drug testing solutions, leaving little room for false negatives or inconclusive outcomes. It’s an approach that resonates with those who prioritize not just speed, but unwavering accuracy.
For employers in Burlington, TX, utilizing hair follicle testing facilitates compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only ensures adherence to legal guidelines but also enhances safety across the workplace, making it a crucial part of risk management.
By choosing hair follicle tests, employers achieve peace of mind knowing that comprehensive testing solutions are in place, reducing legal risks and fortifying a safe environment for all employees. This adherence to compliance reflects positively on workplace culture, fostering trust and reliability company-wide.
