Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sand Point, AK

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal

Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

0 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Sand Point

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. When cut close to the scalp, a hair sample can reveal drug and alcohol data from as far back as three months. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 strands (roughly the equivalent of a #2 pencil) near the scalp suffices to supply 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If a person lacks scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed within a lab’s system. This stage involves ensuring that the specimen is sealed and properly dispatched, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any extra data input absent from an electronic chain-of-custody framework.

Screening serves as a preliminary rapid review for substance abuse. It offers a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage in most cases. However, a positive screening must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting substances from hair at a lower concentration than other systems (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex to administer.

State-of-the-art techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed for confirming positive outcomes. Any samples that test positive in preliminaries undergo washing before confirmation as deemed necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is vetted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection span: Hair tests can disclose drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests which offer a narrower detection timeframe.
  • Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, thereby enhancing result reliability.
  • Offers historical insights: This test can illustrate a pattern of drug use across time, not merely reflecting recent consumption.

Limitations:

  • Unable to detect recent intake: It requires approximately 5-7 days before drugs become noticeable in hair samples.
  • Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
  • Result variations: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth variances can impact drug metabolite levels within hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used but the examination analyzes 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 Sand Point, AK

  • Hair testing outperforms traditional urine tests by providing a superior detection window and greater reliability.
  • Employers can rely on hair tests for stringent monitoring due to their resistance to falsification and longer substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sand Point, AK

  • Hair follicle tests capture drug usage over a prolonged period, up to 90 days, offering a thorough substance history report.
  • This extended window enables employers to assess long-term drug use patterns, supporting informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sand Point, AK

  • With robust security against tampering, hair follicle tests present undeniable results that reduce the possibility of sample adulteration.
  • This reliability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of test results in sensitive situations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sand Point, AK

  • Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility with centers nationwide, making testing straightforward and hassle-free.
  • Local Sand Point facilities offer the convenience of quick access.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sand Point, AK

  • Our streamlined testing process ensures confidentiality from ordering to results delivery, safeguarding your privacy.
  • Simplicity and ease of use are prioritized, alleviating concerns regarding handling sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sand Point, AK

  • Our competitive pricing structure offers exceptional value, with quick turnaround times that cater to businesses of any scale.
  • Clients enjoy peace of mind knowing they receive expedited service without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sand Point, AK

  • Hair follicle drug tests deliver high precision and reliable results, allowing for faster identification of substance use.
  • Efficiency and accuracy ensure testers can trust results, reducing the risk of false negatives or positives, critical for decision making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sand Point, AK

  • Implementing hair follicle testing aligns with rigorous drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks.
  • Such practices not only comply with regulations but also foster a safer and more productive work environment.

Drug Testing Near Sand Point, AK

Port Moller, AK

Herendeen Bay, AK

(800) 221-4291