Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing strands, it provides a comprehensive history of substance use. When taken from near the scalp, a hair sample can indicate drug and alcohol use for up to three months. The procedure is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is preferred. It's advisable to measure the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair imply scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processes a drug test result through four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the first step of integrating a sample into the lab's system, ensuring that it was correctly sealed and delivered, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data not included by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. It's an affordable method to dismiss drug use for most specimens; however, any positive outcomes necessitate confirmation for legal validity. Presumptive positive samples from Screening require further verification.
In cases where Screening results are presumptive positives, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation of positive screening results employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is evaluated following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing outshines urine testing in Carson, CA, mainly due to its superior detection accuracy. It provides a broader timeframe, capturing substance use history over weeks rather than days, unlike typical urine tests.
Comparing the two, hair tests offer a unique reliability, detecting patterns of drug use that standard urine tests may miss, especially given their longer detection period and less vulnerability to manipulation.
Carson's hair follicle tests allow an extended detection window, uncovering drug use up to 90 days back. This far lengthier scope than urine tests gives employers deep insights into applicants' substance use history.
Hair testing captures a person's illicit substance history over time, making it a powerful tool for thorough vetting processes and employee evaluations in Carson.
In terms of tamper resistance, hair follicle tests are incredibly robust in Carson, CA. They've been designed to minimize sample adulteration risks, making them a reliable choice for drug testing.
Due to their collection and analysis method, hair tests are hard to manipulate, providing Carson employers with trustworthy results and reducing the likelihood of false negatives which can occur with other testing methods.
Carson, CA, benefits from the convenience of accredited nationwide testing centers, promising quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services.
Locally and across the nation, Accredited Drug Testing's facilities ensure easy, efficient access to essential services, streamlining the testing process for all involved parties.
In Carson, CA, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step respects user privacy and is easy to navigate.
The straightforward process minimizes stress and maximizes confidentiality, providing peace of mind for those undergoing testing in Carson.
Carson’s drug testing services are both affordable and prompt, with competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. This combination ensures companies of all sizes receive great value and timely results.
Through strategic pricing and rapid processing, hair follicle testing offers Carson businesses a cost-effective solution to maintain compliance and overall workplace safety.
In Carson, CA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their swift and precise results. Their high accuracy levels make them perfect for identifying substance use reliably. Fast yet comprehensive, these tests are an invaluable tool in screening programs.
The technology behind hair follicle testing ensures quick turnaround times, giving employers and individuals assurance in the accuracy and reliability of the results. Every test meets high standards of precision in Carson.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Carson, CA, offers employers peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This minimizes legal risks while enhancing overall safety.
The consistent application of hair testing protocols can build a foundation of trust and safety, providing a secure environment that benefits both employers and employees in Carson.