Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The analysis of hair samples has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a chronic record of substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the shaft of the elongating hair. When strands are cut near the scalp, they can reveal drug and alcohol usage for up to a 90-day period. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and can be easily transported.
A strand sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirming. For testing expansions like EtG or assays over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If hair from the scalp cannot be collected, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. By "head hair," we specifically mean hair from the scalp, while "body hair" covers all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The comprehensive laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the primary integration of a specimen into the laboratory framework. This step involves checking that the specimen was properly sealed and delivered, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for the presence of drugs. Though Screening offers an economical way to identify drug consumption in most samples, any positive result must be verified to stand in a legal context. Samples yielding a positive result during Screening require a secondary verification.
For samples indicated as positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection and undergoes the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or saliva), making it the most challenging testing approach.
Verification of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Every preliminary positive sample undergoes washing ahead of verification if necessary. The whole laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often known as "hair follicle tests," the procedure actually evaluates the hair shaft and not the root below the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing surpass urine testing in Lower Lake, CA? Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, offering more reliability compared to traditional urine tests.
The benefits of hair drug testing, when compared to urine testing, lie in its heightened accuracy and reliability, making them a superior choice for substance detection.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Lower Lake, CA allows employers to view up to 90 days of an individual’s substance history, offering a comprehensive insight.
Hair follicle testing is beneficial in identifying drug use over a prolonged period, ensuring employers attain a holistic view of an employee's history.
Hair follicle tests in Lower Lake, CA, are highly resistant to tampering, offering indisputable results that minimize the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring reliability.
With decreased susceptibility to adulteration, hair follicle testing remains a trustworthy method, providing unquestionable outcomes.
Nationwide testing centers across Lower Lake, CA, extend convenience by offering quick and hassle-free access to our testing services, ensuring easy test accessibility.
Convenience is paramount with our local and nationwide locations, allowing for seamless and prompt testing processes.
The simple and confidential process in Lower Lake, CA, alleviates privacy concerns, ensuring straightforward ordering, testing, and result retrieval.
Rest assured of a private and uncomplicated process, providing ease of use throughout the testing journey.
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Lower Lake, CA, deliver remarkable value, fitting companies of various sizes by granting peace of mind.
Affordable rates and quick processing times reinforce exceptional value, catering to organizations big and small.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests make them ideal for detecting substance use in Lower Lake, CA. Hair tests offer a high level of accuracy, providing dependable results swiftly.
The accuracy of hair follicle drug testing is unparalleled, with precise substance use detection that surpasses traditional methods.
Utilizing hair follicle testing offers peace of mind for employers in Lower Lake, CA, by ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, mitigating legal challenges, and enhancing workplace safety.
Compliance is greatly strengthened by adopting hair follicle tests, helping reduce legal risks while promoting a safer work environment.
