Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as a valuable resource for the identification of drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. It is simple to collect, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch length consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When addressing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s framework. This involves validating the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial quick assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in concentrations lower than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in South Laguna, CA outshines traditional urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy. Hair tests can detect drug use over an extended period, reducing false negatives. Unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection windows, hair testing allows for thorough and reliable analysis, granting employers a more comprehensive understanding of potential substance use among employees.
In South Laguna, CA, hair follicle tests are valued for their extended detection window. They can uncover drug usage history up to 90 days prior, offering employers a detailed view of an individual’s substance use. This is critical for employers who want to ensure their teams remain drug-free, providing a longer period over which usage can be tracked compared to traditional methods.
Hair follicle testing in South Laguna, CA provides a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly minimizing the chances of sample manipulation. Unlike urine tests, which are more susceptible to adulteration, hair testing maintains sample integrity, ensuring valid results that corroborate an individual's substance history. This reliability is vital for organizations requiring unquestionable testing.
The convenience of nationwide testing locations alongside local options in South Laguna, CA provides accessible drug testing services, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Accredited Drug Testing offers multiple centers, readily available to accommodate testing needs, streamlining the process for individuals and organizations seeking efficient drug testing solutions.
In South Laguna, CA, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. This ensures that the ordering, testing, and receiving of results are handled with discretion, addressing privacy concerns. The straightforward steps involved in hair testing allow for quick and non-intrusive management, catering to both individual and organizational needs efficiently.
Our drug testing services in South Laguna, CA emphasize affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures without compromising on quality and speed of results. This commitment to delivering excellent value ensures that businesses of all sizes can access reliable drug testing without facing financial strain or delays.
In South Laguna, CA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests boast remarkable precision, ensuring the high accuracy required to detect even the most minute traces of substance use. The ability to swiftly deliver dependable results makes hair follicle testing a preferred method for entities needing trustworthy substance analysis.
Employers in South Laguna, CA achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, which supports drug-free workplace policies. By adopting this testing method, employers mitigate legal risks and enhance workplace safety. The comprehensive detection capability aligns with compliance goals, enabling businesses to maintain a secure and drug-free environment.
