Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atwater, MN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can present a detection period of up to around three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length and consisting of roughly 200 strands (similar to the circumference of a number 2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for testing. In cases of EtG tests, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is advisable. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other hair types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

In the lab processing of drug tests, four primary stages are observed: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails starting a sample's processing within the lab’s system, including ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional information entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for the presence of illicit substances. While it's cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in most instances, any positive results from Screening must be confirmed for legal validity. Samples exhibiting preliminary positivity in Screening require follow-up confirmation.

For a sample deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase entails drug extraction from hair at a notably lower concentration relative to alternatives like urine or oral fluid, rendering hair drug screening among the most challenging to conduct.

Any positive screening outcomes are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if necessary. The entire lab process, ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair designation and certification per ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug testing can identify drug intake over a span of up to 90 days, compared to shorter spans for urine tests.
• Resistant to falsification: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insights: It identifies patterns of drug use over time rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection of recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", this analysis evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Atwater, MN, significant benefits emerge. Hair testing provides superior detection and reliability, proving especially advantageous for employers seeking accuracy in substance evaluation.

Traditional urine tests fall short when compared to hair follicle testing. In Atwater, MN, hair tests offer unmatched detection accuracy and reliability, setting a new standard for drug assessment practices.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Atwater, MN provides a broad detection window, assessing drug use for up to 90 days. This extended period gives employers a comprehensive review of an individual's substance history.

By covering up to a 90-day detection period, hair follicle testing in Atwater, MN, allows employers a detailed insight into past substance use, enhancing the hiring process's transparency and reliability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Atwater, MN, residents benefit from hair follicle testing’s tamper-resistant nature, significantly lowering the risk of sample adulteration. This robust method ensures trustworthy and undeniable results.

Hair follicle tests in Atwater, MN, offer a level of protection against sample manipulation. Their resistance to tampering guarantees employers reliable and accurate results, providing confidence in substance assessment methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide locations, our testing centers, including those in Atwater, MN, offer effortless access to drug testing services, ensuring a quick and hassle-free experience for all users.

Accredited Drug Testing simplifies access with broad geographical reach. In Atwater, MN, and beyond, our centers provide ready availability for hair testing, making the process smooth and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Atwater, MN, the process for ordering and conducting hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. Clients can rest assured of privacy and simplicity in obtaining and receiving results.

The protocol for hair testing in Atwater, MN, focuses on confidentiality and ease. Clients experience a seamless and private process from order through to receiving results, emphasizing convenience and security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Atwater, MN, businesses recognize the value of affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times with hair follicle testing. Competitive prices and swift results provide significant value for a range of company needs.

Our competitive pricing structure and quick turnaround enhance the value of drug testing services in Atwater, MN. Affordable costs and fast processing meet the needs of businesses large and small effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Atwater, MN, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision, offering fast, accurate results in detecting substance use. This method ensures reliability for employers seeking a thorough evaluation.

Precision and speed characterize the hair follicle testing process. Known for its high accuracy, this method efficiently identifies drug use, making it an invaluable asset for maintaining workplace integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Atwater, MN, gain compliance assurance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method supports drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety standards.

Hair follicle testing in Atwater, MN, provides employers compliance with workplace regulations, lowering potential legal challenges and promoting a safer work environment.

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