Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly perceived as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can offer up to a 3-month detection span for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample containing roughly 200 strands (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, added tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest weighing the hair specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" solely pertains to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test results comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory’s system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional necessary data input not supplied via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for negating drug usage in most samples, any positive screenings require confirmation to be legally valid. Samples with a positive presumption in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
In cases of a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations than found in most other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening procedures.
Confirming a positive screening result involves techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing pre-confirmation as necessary. The entire lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and meets the accreditation standards ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The test is sometimes called a "hair follicle test", but it examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Eldridge, CA stands out against traditional urine tests.
The superior detection accuracy, coupled with reliability, makes hair tests ideal for employers and legal entities.
Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair testing can uncover drug use that occurred up to 90 days prior.
Employers in Eldridge, CA benefit from the extended detection period offered by hair follicle tests.
These tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, providing a complete picture of an individual's substance history.
This lengthy window is crucial for employers seeking a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's drug use patterns.
Hair follicle testing in Eldridge, CA offers a tamper-resistant method.
It significantly reduces the potential for sample adulteration, ensuring that the results are trustworthy and unquestionable.
Employers and legal authorities can rely on these tests to provide authentic insights into substance use without the risk of tampering.
With numerous testing centers, including those in Eldridge, CA, accessing services is convenient and quick.
The nationwide reach guarantees that individuals can find a nearby location without hassle.
This ease of access simplifies the testing process, making it more efficient and user-friendly for everyone involved.
The hair follicle testing process in Eldridge, CA is straightforward and confidential.
From order to results, each step respects privacy and simplicity, addressing any concerns about ease of use.
This process reassures individuals and companies alike of both privacy protection and efficient handling of testing procedures.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, these tests in Eldridge, CA are both cost-effective and timely.
This makes hair follicle testing an excellent value for businesses of all sizes, offering peace of mind and ensuring that companies do not face undue financial burden.
In Eldridge, CA, hair follicle drug tests offer precision, speed, and reliable results.
Their accuracy in detecting substance use is unparalleled, making them the go-to choice for those needing swift and precise outcomes.
This ensures that potential drug use is quickly identified and verified, providing stakeholders with confidence in the results.
Employers in Eldridge, CA find peace of mind with hair follicle testing.
It ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing overall safety.
With this reliable testing method, companies can maintain a healthy, safe, and drug-free workplace environment.