Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can unveil a detection period of up to about three months for substances like alcohol and others. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it is easy to transport.
A segment measuring 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp generates 100mg of hair, deemed ideal for both initial testing and verification. For additional tests like EtG or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Summary
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result entails four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial phase where the sample is registered into a lab's system. This process verifies the sample's proper sealing and transportation, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening consists of a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it offers a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be verified for admissibility in judicial proceedings. Samples yielding tentative positive results during Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample is tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening the most intricate technique.
Any positive screening outcome undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All tentatively positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 criteria.
Benefits of hair drug analysis:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Craig, CO
Hair testing offers several advantages over conventional urine tests. Among these, its ability to detect substances over a significantly longer period is crucial, providing thorough accuracy and reliability. Hair tests significantly diminish the likelihood of evasive tactics that compromise test validity, making them a superior choice for rigorous evaluations.
Extensive Detection Timeframe in Craig, CO
Hair follicle testing remains unmatched in its ability to trace drug use extending up to 90 days into the past. Employers gain an extensive insight and detailed history of applicants or employees' drug use patterns, informing better hiring and management decisions.
Secure Testing Method Resistant to Tampering in Craig, CO
Hair tests offer remarkable resistance against sample tampering and adulteration, ensuring outcomes are reliable and truthful. This security provides confidence, knowing results are legitimate and uncontaminated, aiding in maintaining a drug-free environment.
Convenience Nationwide with Local Testing Centers in Craig, CO
With our numerous testing centers spread across the country, access to testing services remains swift and seamless. Our local Craig locations further ensure the process is hassle-free, accommodating every individual need.
Straightforward, Private Procedure in Craig, CO
The process for arranging, taking, and receiving hair test results is both simple and confidential, upholding privacy and ease of use. This ensures all participants feel protected and assures them of the confidentiality of their information.
Cost-Effective Pricing and Quick Results in Craig, CO
Our hair follicle tests are competitively priced, boasting swift turnaround times. Companies of all scales achieve value with rapid, reliable conclusions, granting peace of mind without financial strain.
Speed, Accuracy, and Dependability in Craig, CO
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapidity and precision in detecting substance use. They reliably uncover drug presence, ensuring that results are both fast and highly accurate. This method benefits employers who need assured clarity when evaluating potential and current employees' history of utilizations.
Assurance and Compliance for Businesses in Craig, CO
Employing hair follicle testing aligns companies with rigorous drug-free policies, alleviating legal isms and fostering workplace security. Such testing ensures adherence to internal and regulatory standards, improving employer peace of mind.
