Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utility of hair analysis has grown as an effective method to identify alcohol and drug consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers that reveal a prolonged timeline of drug and alcohol intake, as these markers remain within the hair's growing fibers. When gathered near the scalp, this method can reveal a detection period spanning nearly three months for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and transportation is hassle-free.
Collecting a sample that measures 1.5 inches and consists of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to #2 pencil thickness) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for preliminary tests and subsequent verification. For EtG, supplemental tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be insufficient, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
In conducting a drug test, the lab processes involved are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning focuses on the sample's initial integration into the lab's system, ensuring it was correctly sealed and transported, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody record.
Screening performs an expedited initial check for drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical strategy to exclude drug use in most cases, any positive outcomes must undergo confirmation for legal validity. Samples showing initial positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Samples identified as presumptive positives in Screening move to the Extraction phase, where hair specimens are further prepared. Drugs are extracted at a significantly lower concentration from hair than through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting why hair drug testing is notably complex to execute.
Verification of any positive result from Screening is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo necessary wash procedures before Confirmation. Throughout the lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adherence to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification is maintained.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing, hair analysis stands out in Hacker Valley, WV.
It provides superior detection accuracy, particularly for long-term drug use. Hair tests are more reliable as they are not affected by short-term abstinence, unlike urine tests which can be bypassed with temporary cessation of drug use.
Hair follicle testing in Hacker Valley, WV, offers an extended detection window.
This test can uncover drug use over the last 90 days, unlike traditional methods. This allows employers and authorities to see a comprehensive substance use history, providing valuable insights into an individual's patterns of behavior over a more extended period.
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution in Hacker Valley, WV.
The method drastically minimizes the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain reliable and unquestionable. This resilience against tampering is vital for organizations that require absolute integrity in drug testing results.
With nationwide testing centers, including those in Hacker Valley, WV, accessing testing services is convenient and hassle-free.
The process for ordering and receiving hair follicle test results in Hacker Valley, WV, is designed to be simple and confidential.
Our affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Hacker Valley, WV, support businesses of all sizes.
Hair follicle drug tests in Hacker Valley, WV, are known for their fast, accurate, and reliable results.
Compared to traditional testing methods, hair analysis offers a high degree of precision in identifying drug use. The method's swiftness ensures that results are accessible quickly, making it a favored choice for employers and institutions seeking both efficiency and dependability.
Employers in Hacker Valley, WV, can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing.
It supports drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal liabilities, and enhancing workplace safety. Implementing this testing method helps in adhering to regulatory norms and maintaining a healthier, safer working environment.
