Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged history of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands close to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For testing involving EtG, additional elements, or exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn’t obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we refer to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result is divided into four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary processing of a sample in a lab's system, including verifying the proper packaging and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a quick initial examination for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive result is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need secondary verification.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is collected from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower levels than in other methods, such as urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening one of the most challenging procedures to execute.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used for the Confirmation of any positive screening outcome. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo a wash before Confirmation if required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Newburg, WV, hair follicle testing stands out over urine testing for various reasons.
Extended Detection is a major plus, as it can reveal drug use for up to 90 days.
Urine tests usually cover shorter time spans, often under a week.
Hair tests provide a more comprehensive overview of an individual's history.
As urine tests might miss intermittent drug use, hair testing excels in accuracy and dependability.
Hair follicle testing in Newburg, WV, offers an extended window of detection, making it invaluable for employers desiring a full understanding of substance use.
The test reveals drug use up to 90 days prior, which is significantly longer than other methods.
This broad timeline helps in spotting patterns of behavior over time, offering a detailed account of any illicit drug consumption that goes beyond short-term assessments.
The hair follicle drug testing method in Newburg, WV, is renowned for its resistance to tampering.
This test deters attempts to manipulate outcomes, ensuring that results are authentic and reliable.
Unlike some other testing techniques where samples could possibly be altered, hair tests maintain integrity throughout the process.
This makes it a trustworthy option for employers needing definitive evidence of substance use.
For residents and businesses in Newburg, WV, the convenience of having nationwide and local testing facilities is a significant advantage.
The hair follicle testing process in Newburg, WV, is both simple and confidential.
With competitive pricing and swift service, our hair follicle testing in Newburg, WV, ensures affordable testing for businesses of all sizes.
In Newburg, WV, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and precise results, greatly benefiting those who require dependable drug testing.
Accuracy of hair tests is notably high, allowing accurate detection of various substances.
The credibility of results ensures trust in the testing process.
Choosing hair follicle testing means investing in a reliable method that swiftly delivers trustworthy outcomes, ensuring safety and compliance.
Employers in Newburg, WV, benefit greatly by implementing hair follicle testing, which helps ensure workplace compliance with drug-free initiatives.