What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of substance exposure by embedding biomarkers within its growing strands. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to about 90 days for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easily transportable.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands equating to the width of a #2 pencil, provides around 100mg, the optimal amount for initial and confirmatory tests. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent portion of body hair can be collected. References to head hair indicate scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory journey of a drug test result comprises Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This encompasses ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any ancillary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary examination for drug abuse. It's a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug presence in most samples, but a positive screening calls for confirmation to stand in a court of law. Any samples that test positive presumptively in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), rendering hair drug testing the most intricate among methodologies.

Positive screens proceed to Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, leading to more accurate outcomes.
Provides historical insights: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just immediate consumption.

Limitations:

Recent use undetectable: Drugs take about 5-7 days to appear in hair.
Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other testing methods.
Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Falcon, TX
Hair tests offer significant advantages over urine tests, notably in detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which are limited by shorter detection windows, hair follicle tests provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.

Hair tests cover a longer detection span.
They remain unaffected by recent abstinence, unlike urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Falcon, TX
Hair follicle testing shines with its ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days. This long window offers employers insight into consistent or prolonged substance use, helping them assess an individual's commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.

Employers get a broader understanding of an individual's history.
Detection covers a considerable period compared to other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Falcon, TX
Hair follicle testing ensures integrity with its tamper-proof qualities, vastly reducing the chances of sample adulteration. This makes it an essential choice for companies wanting unquestionable results.

Provides confidence in sample authenticity.
Difficult to alter compared to other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Falcon, TX
Our expansive network of testing centers ensures that individuals in Falcon, TX, and beyond have ready access to necessary services. This vast reach means more straightforward, hassle-free testing.

Multiple locations make testing accessible for all.
Streamlines the process for quick and easy access.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Falcon, TX
Our approach to hair follicle testing prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality, easing concerns about privacy. From ordering to receiving results, the process remains intuitive and respectful.

Ensures participant confidentiality at all stages.
Streamlined steps for user convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Falcon, TX
Recognizing the need for cost-effective solutions, we offer competitive pricing structures paired with swift turnaround times, providing excellent value to businesses of any size.

Ensures affordability without compromising quality.
Fast results minimize waiting periods and stress.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Falcon, TX
Hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in precision, providing rapid and extremely accurate substance detection. This method quickly identifies a range of substances with high reliability, giving employers in Falcon, TX, immediate results they can trust.

The quick turnaround drastically reduces downtime.
It boasts a proven accuracy rate unmatched by traditional methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Falcon, TX
Utilizing hair follicle tests guarantees adherence to workplace drug policies, diminishing legal risks while enhancing safety. Consistently, it assures employers that drug-free policies are effectively monitored.