Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a historical record of alcohol and drug use through biomarker entrapment within the fibers of growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month detection timeline for substances. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to adulteration, and straightforward to ship.
A sample of about 1.5 inches that includes approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, body hair of equivalent volume can be collected. "Head hair" pertains specifically to "scalp hair," whereas "body hair" refers to all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step, involving processing the sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial check for drug abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result in this stage must be confirmed to be legally valid. Any sample that returns a presumptive positive during Screening requires further confirmation.
For samples with presumptive positive results in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to perform.
Confirmation of a screening's positive results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is rigorously reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests," the procedure analyzes the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
Hair follicle testing in Mitchelltown, VA, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. While urine tests provide reliable results in a shorter detection period, the hair test boasts a longer window, making it an excellent tool for identifying long-term substance use.
Due to its extended detection period, employers and legal entities can rely on hair testing for a more thorough understanding of an individual's recent history with drug use, thereby ensuring more accurate compliance with zero-tolerance policies.
Employers in Mitchelltown, VA, find hair testing invaluable due to its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This comprehensive view helps in assessing an applicant or current employee's substance use over several months.
This testing method offers the added benefit of being able to detect drug use over a far greater period than standard urine tests, enabling employers to maintain a drug-free workplace with greater confidence and reliability.
In Mitchelltown, VA, hair follicle tests present a significant reduction in the risk of sample tampering. The collection and analysis process for hair is more tamper-resistant than traditional testing methods.
The near-impossibility of manipulating hair test samples offers peace of mind to both employers and legal representatives who trust the process for its integrity and dependability in providing unquestionable results.
Accredited Drug Testing makes drug testing convenient for residents of Mitchelltown, VA, through our widespread network of testing centers.
Our extensive national presence means you can access services easily and promptly, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free testing process wherever you are.
The process for hair follicle testing in Mitchelltown, VA, is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, conducting the test, and receiving results are streamlined to address privacy and usability concerns.
It prioritizes client confidentiality while providing an efficient route through which individuals and organizations can meet their testing needs without the stress of complicated procedures.
Accredited Drug Testing in Mitchelltown, VA, provides competitive pricing structures, making hair follicle testing an affordable option for companies of all sizes.
With our quick turnaround times, clients receive results promptly, ensuring they get excellent value and peace of mind in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace.
In Mitchelltown, VA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast and reliable results. This method offers high accuracy in detecting a wide range of substances, providing a dependable solution for those who require precise detection.
Thanks to the sophisticated nature of hair analysis, the testing process ensures both speed and accuracy, helping companies and individuals make informed decisions with confidence.
Hair follicle testing gives employers in Mitchelltown, VA, a reliable means to comply with drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety.
By adopting hair testing, businesses can ensure compliance with regulations, reducing liability exposures while fostering a secure and controlled working environment for their teams.
