Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. As hair strands grow, they encapsulate biomarkers, creating an extensive timeline of substance use. When extracted from the scalp, hair samples can furnish a detection timeline stretching up to about three months for alcohol and various drugs. Not only is hair easy to collect, but it also resists tampering and is straightforward to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, containing approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) taken near the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, suitable for preliminary and confirmatory testing. For tests such as EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Specimens should ideally be weighed on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable volume of body hair may substitute. The term "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (including facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a specimen is initially integrated into a laboratory’s system. This phase includes verifying the sufficient sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not encompassed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial, swift assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in the majority of specimens, any positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples with presumptive positives from Screening are subject to additional validation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, an additional quantity from the initial sample is isolated for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug tests.
Confirmations of positive screening outcomes are conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite frequently being termed "hair follicle tests," these assays examine the hair strand, not the follicle located under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dryden, TX revolves around its unmatched accuracy and reliability. Compared to urine tests, hair testing offers an extended detection window and heightened credibility. Its capability to reveal substance history ensures organizations a secure evaluation of tested individuals.
Extended Detection Window in Dryden, TX provides an advantage for employers seeking detailed substance use history. Hair follicle testing can unveil drug use for up to 90 days, offering a full portrait of an individual's substance habits. This aids in making more informed employment decisions, ensuring a drug-free workplace.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dryden, TX highlights the secured reliability of hair follicle drug tests. This approach considerably lowers the chance of sample tampering, guaranteeing trustworthiness in results and reducing associated doubts or disputes regarding test integrity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations extend their reach to Dryden, TX with accessible testing sites across the country ensuring that individuals and companies experience a straightforward and smooth testing process, saving time and effort.
Simple, Confidential Process in Dryden, TX alleviates concerns centered around privacy and ease. Our systematic approach ensures that ordering, conducting, and receiving results remain straightforward, maintaining confidentiality and convenience throughout.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround ensures that in Dryden, TX, businesses of varying sizes benefit from cost-effective testing solutions. With rapid result turnaround, our services provide not only value but also peace of mind in substance testing.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are pivotal in Dryden, TX. Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their high accuracy, quickly identifying various substances. This method ensures that results are not only rapid but also impeccably reliable, allowing decision-makers confidence in the outcome.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dryden, TX comes from incorporating reliable hair follicle testing. This ensures adherence to workplace policies, diminishes legal vulnerabilities, and augments overall workplace safety, fostering a secure working environment.
