Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of drug and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to about three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond 10, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The primary steps in laboratory drug testing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the introductory phase where a sample is integrated into the laboratory's system. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Though cost-effective and capable of eliminating drug presence in most samples, positive screens require confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that appear positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
In instances where Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the preliminary sample for further preparation during Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Positive results identified during Screening are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples receive washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" often used is a misnomer, as the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over urine tests in Lansdowne, VA, offers distinct advantages. Hair tests boast superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair samples provide a broader detection window, capturing drug use history over months. This comprehensive view ensures policies of drug-free environments are thoroughly enforced, making them the first choice for serious monitoring.
By comparison, while urine tests are traditional, their detection period is limited. Hair tests surpass these constraints, providing a more exhaustive overview of drug use history. This ensures stronger enforcement of zero-tolerance policies within workplaces and aids in legal and compliance matters.
In Lansdowne, VA, hair follicle tests are celebrated for their extensive drug detection period, covering up to 90 days. This far surpasses the capability of urine tests, allowing a more thorough inspection of an individual's substance use. Such insight helps employers to gain a clearer understanding of potential hires or current employees' past drug activities.
This long detection window offered by hair follicle testing is invaluable for identifying habitual substance use. It provides a comprehensive overview that helps uphold company standards and enhances the accuracy of substance use investigations, setting a benchmark in drug testing methods.
Lansdowne, VA, is a leader in using hair follicle tests to minimize sample tampering risks. These tests are nearly impervious to fraud attempts compared to urine tests. Because the sample collection is directly observed and hair samples are uniquely difficult to alter, the results remain reliable and truthful.
Sample integrity in testing is crucial, and hair tests provide a robust framework against adulteration. Employers benefit greatly from this method's reliability, ensuring that drug-free workplace policies are upheld without question, and legal compliance is uncompromised.
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide ensures convenient access to hair follicle testing services. In Lansdowne, VA, and beyond, our locations provide users with an easy, hassle-free way to undergo testing. This accessibility reduces the wait time and logistical challenges of arranging drug tests, catering to a widely dispersed clientele.
Our strategically placed centers make it simple for employers to arrange timely tests. This expansive network supports consistent drug testing policies, ensuring businesses maintain integrity across all locations while providing quick, local service.
The process of hair follicle testing in Lansdowne, VA, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to taking and receiving results, users encounter an effortless experience that respects privacy. This helps alleviate concerns over personal data protection, ensuring peace of mind through transparent and secure testing practices.
Our streamlined approach allows individuals and employers to focus on their priorities. With a commitment to confidentiality and user-friendly processes, getting test results is convenient and secure, ensuring all parties remain informed and confident.
In Lansdowne, VA, our cost-effective pricing for hair follicle tests pairs with swift turnaround times, offering companies exceptional value. We ensure pricing remains competitive, making robust drug testing accessible to businesses of all sizes, thus ensuring high-quality service without financial strain.
Affordability combined with rapid results helps employers maintain drug-free workplaces efficiently. Our commitment to both low pricing and prompt reporting benefits businesses, enhancing workplace standards and productivity.
Hair follicle drug tests in Lansdowne, VA, are known for their quick and precise outcomes. The advanced methodologies ensure high accuracy in identifying substance usage. This form of testing provides detailed analyses that are reliable, thereby helping employers to make informed decisions with confidence and reducing waiting times for results.
The speed of hair follicle testing is unparalleled, as samples processed with expert precision deliver prompt and accurate insights into an individual's drug history. This efficiency enhances the decision-making process, particularly for employers keen on maintaining high standards of workplace integrity and safety.
In Lansdowne, VA, using hair follicle testing ensures that workplace drug-free policies are adhered to. This method reduces legal risks, offering peace of mind. Employers find reassurance in integrating such reliable methods, knowing that their practices meet regulatory standards, enhancing company safety and culture.
With hair follicle testing, there is a significant drop in workplace incidents related to substance misuse. It ensures a compliant environment, essential for reducing potential legal and reputational risks while promoting a more secure and productive workplace.
