Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective resource for spotting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, offering an extended history of substance usage. When collected near the scalp, it can reveal alcohol and drug use for a duration of about 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easily shipped.
A 1.5-inch portion, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields 100mg, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory's processing of a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample into the lab's system, which involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides an initial, swift evaluation for drug abuse. Though cost-effective to exclude drug use in most samples, positive screenings require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.
In case of a presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction—a step where drugs are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is the most challenging method.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples showing presumptive positives are washed as needed before Confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Known as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the scalp's hair follicle.
In Fairfax Station, VA, hair follicle testing stands out as a more efficient method compared to traditional urine tests. Benefits of hair testing include superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests detect drugs within a short time frame, hair tests have a much longer detection window, extending up to 90 days. This makes hair follicle tests more reliable for detecting habitual substance use.
One of the distinct advantages of hair follicle testing in Fairfax Station, VA, is its extensive detection window. A single hair follicle can reveal drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This is pivotal for employers who are looking to evaluate a comprehensive substance use history of applicants or current employees. Hair tests provide an unbiased and long-term view into a person's relationship with drugs.
Hair follicle testing in Fairfax Station, VA, offers a method that substantially reduces the risk of sample adulteration. The tamper-resistant nature of these tests ensures that the results are trustworthy and indisputable. Unlike urine tests that require privacy, and thus allow for potential manipulation, hair samples are collected in observed settings, entirely eliminating the chance of deceit.
Accredited Drug Testing guarantees convenient and extensive nationwide testing, including local options in Fairfax Station, VA. With locations distributed across the country, access to our services is easy and efficient, offering a hassle-free experience. Whether you're in a bustling city or a quieter area, our local centers provide swift access to all your testing needs, at your convenience.
The process for hair follicle testing in Fairfax Station, VA, is simple and confidential, designed with privacy and user-friendliness in mind. Ordering, conducting the test, and obtaining results are streamlined to ensure that individuals and businesses can navigate the procedure with ease. Confidentiality is maintained at every step, ensuring personal data and results remain private.
In Fairfax Station, VA, you can expect affordable pricing for hair follicle testing along with quick turnaround times, emphasizing value for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures cater to different company budgets, ensuring you receive the best service without financial strain. This balance between cost and speedy results provides superior value and reassurance.
Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. In Fairfax Station, VA, these tests are known for their exceptional precision, efficiently identifying substance use. With their rapid processing time, employers and individuals can depend on this testing method for quick and dependable results. Hair holds a detailed chronological record of drug use, making accuracy a hallmark of these tests.
Choosing hair follicle testing ensures employers in Fairfax Station, VA comply with drug-free workplace policies, providing peace of mind. This testing method not only guarantees adherence to company policies but also minimizes legal risks. Utilizing such reliable tests fosters a safer and more productive work environment, contributing to the overall safety and security of the workplace.
