Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and various substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer an estimated 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is easy, tampering with it is somewhat challenging, and it is simple to ship.
A proximal 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair refers to all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's framework. This step ensures that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening executes an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method for ruling out substance use in most samples, a positive screen must be corroborated for judicial admissibility. Samples with a presumptively positive Screening outcome necessitate secondary validation.
If Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is drawn from the primary sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair drug screening's complexity.
Positive screening confirmation is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are cleansed, as appropriate. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning through to Confirmation receives oversight under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Midpines, CA, hair follicle testing stands out against urine tests by offering extended detection. While urine tests can only detect recent usage, hair tests provide a broader view of an individual's substance use over time. The hair test's ability to track drug use up to 90 days offers a level of accuracy unmatched by traditional urine tests, making it highly reliable for detecting long-term substance patterns.
Superior Detection and Accuracy
The hair follicle test's extended detection window can span as long as 90 days, surpassing other testing methods. This provides employers in Midpines, CA, with a detailed timeline of an individual's substance use history and better insight into patterns of use, which is crucial during the hiring process or ongoing employment evaluation.
Hair follicle tests conducted in Midpines, CA, offer a tamper-resistant method of detecting drug use, significantly reducing the chances of specimen adulteration. The resilience of hair samples to adulteration makes this test method exceptionally reliable, ensuring trustworthy results that employers can depend on for making critical decisions.
With numerous nationwide testing centers including locations in Midpines, CA, getting a hair follicle test has never been more convenient. We simplify the testing process by offering quick and hassle-free access to our services, ensuring that clients experience minimal disruption to their daily activities.
The hair follicle test process in Midpines, CA, is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure ensures ease of use, confidentiality, and security—offering peace of mind for those involved.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Midpines, CA, make hair follicle drug testing a viable option for businesses of any size. We strive to provide excellent value for our services, ensuring that you don't have to compromise on quality or speed.
In Midpines, CA, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled. These tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results, efficiently identifying substance use. The meticulous process by which hair samples are analyzed ensures high accuracy, granting employers confidence in the validity of test results.
Employers in Midpines, CA, benefit from hair follicle testing by receiving compliance peace of mind. This testing method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and establishing a safer work environment. Employers can confidently enforce policies knowing that the testing method supports transparency and integrity.
