Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. If taken near the scalp, hair offers nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We advocate for weighing the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically indicating scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial sample processing within the laboratory’s system. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. All presumptive positives in Screening require further confirmation.
When a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this process, substances are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex methodology.
Positive results from screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples positive in initial screenings are cleansed before final confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review both under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability in Pleasant Hill, WA. While urine tests cover a shorter detection period, hair tests provide a larger detection window, typically up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe ensures that past drug use is accurately identified, making it a more dependable choice for comprehensive analysis.
In Pleasant Hill, WA, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, providing insight into drug use over the past 90 days. This allows employers to better understand an applicant's or employee's substance history. With this extended monitoring period, employers gain a more complete assessment of one's historical drug use, making it invaluable for making informed decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Pleasant Hill, WA, are lauded for their tamper-resistant nature. By significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration, they deliver reliable and unquestionable outcomes. This attribute is crucial for ensuring that test results remain genuine and accurate, providing assurance to both employers and individuals regarding the integrity of the testing process.
Our testing centers in Pleasant Hill, WA, and across the nation offer unmatched convenience. With a vast network of locations, accessing testing services is quick and hassle-free. This convenience ensures that whether you are near or far, testing is within reach, catering to the needs of individuals and businesses seeking efficient and accessible drug testing solutions.
The process for hair follicle testing in Pleasant Hill, WA, is simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns. From ordering to receiving results, individuals and employers alike will find the procedure straightforward. This ease of use, coupled with assured confidentiality, makes the entire testing experience stress-free and discreet, ensuring user satisfaction.
In Pleasant Hill, WA, our hair follicle testing boasts competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. This offers tremendous value and peace of mind to companies of varying sizes. With affordability paired with expediency, clients benefit from a service designed to be budget-friendly without compromising on speed or reliability of results.
In Pleasant Hill, WA, hair follicle drug tests are recognized for their precision and speed. Their unparalleled accuracy stems from their ability to reliably detect traces of substances. This testing method ensures that individuals get swift and credible results, providing peace of mind to employers and individuals alike, underscoring its role as a trusted choice for drug testing needs.
For employers in Pleasant Hill, WA, utilizing hair follicle testing brings compliance with drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. By opting for this testing method, businesses ensure adherence to strict standards, creating a safer and more compliant work environment that mitigates potential liabilities and fosters a culture of responsibility.
