Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analyses are increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When collected close to the scalp, it offers an approximate three-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to alter, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for examination and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair might be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the laboratory procedure for processing drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s framework. This encompasses verifying that the sample is securely sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening offers a budget-friendly method to negate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be legally acceptable. Samples preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be preliminarily positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methodologies (i.e., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex technique to execute.
Any positive screening outcome is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples preliminarily positive are washed ahead of confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Merced, CA, the advantages are clear. Hair testing provides unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. This superiority makes it an ideal choice for comprehensive substance use analysis, ensuring more confident decision-making for all parties involved.
Hair follicle testing in Merced, CA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing the capabilities of other testing methods. This long window provides a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's drug use history, aiding employers in making informed decisions.
The design of hair follicle tests in Merced, CA, significantly reduces the likelihood of tampering. This method offers unquestionable reliability due to its resistance to sample adulteration, thus ensuring that results are trustworthy and cannot be easily manipulated.
With numerous testing sites across the nation, including local centers in Merced, CA, getting tested is both quick and convenient. This extensive network allows individuals and companies easy access to reliable testing services without hassle or significant travel.
The process for hair follicle testing in Merced, CA, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving the results, the privacy of individuals is upheld, addressing any concerns over confidentiality while simplifying the procedure.
In Merced, CA, we offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing. Our competitive rates and swift result delivery provide excellent value, enabling businesses of all sizes to adopt this accurate testing method with peace of mind.
In Merced, CA, the hair follicle drug test is known for providing fast, precise, and reliable results. Its growing popularity is due to its superior accuracy in detecting substance use. Employers and individuals alike benefit greatly from the ability to quickly access detailed results.
Employers in Merced, CA, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, which aligns with drug-free workplace policies. This approach minimizes legal risks and supports a safer work environment through trustworthy drug testing methods.
