Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of detection for substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When samples are taken close to the scalp, the detection period can extend to around three months for both alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 strands or the size of a #2 pencil near the scalp, yields 100mg—ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If no scalp hair is accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be taken. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The lab process for determining drug test results involves these main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves bringing a sample into the lab’s system, ensuring the sample's seal and shipment are intact, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional record-keeping not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical approach for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive in Screening, further hair is taken from the specimen for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods, such as in urine or saliva, explaining why hair drug analysis is the most complex method to execute.
Confirming any positive screen results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the full laboratory procedure is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and is accredited per ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," these tests assess the hair strands and not the follicles beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Santa Rosa, AZ, hair testing emerges as superior due to its longer detection period. The accuracy of hair tests provides a clearer picture of drug use history, making them more reliable for thorough screenings.
Urine tests might miss subtle traces of drugs, but hair tests, due to their methodology, ensure that even small amounts are detected, enhancing the reliability of the results which is critical for employers and legal settings.
Hair follicle testing in Santa Rosa, AZ, provides a much more extended window for drug detection, going back up to 90 days. This capability allows employers to get an extended view of a candidate's or employee's drug use history, enhancing decision-making.
The extended detection capacity of hair testing means that occasional users cannot easily circumvent the system, providing a comprehensive assurance to employers about an individual's substance habits.
In Santa Rosa, AZ, hair follicle testing is noteworthy for its resistance to tampering. The nature of the sample and the collection process significantly reduce the possibilities for adulteration, offering dependable results that can withstand scrutiny.
Unlike other testing methods, hair tests ensure that the integrity of the sample is maintained from the moment of collection until analysis, providing clients with unquestionable assurance of the results' validity.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including in Santa Rosa, AZ. This means that individuals can access testing services easily and without hassle, no matter where they are located.
Our numerous centers ensure timely and efficient testing service delivery, allowing individuals and companies in Santa Rosa, AZ, to obtain necessary drug screening results with minimal disruption.
The process for hair follicle testing in Santa Rosa, AZ, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving the results, confidentiality is ensured, addressing privacy concerns effectively and efficiently.
Ensuring a user-friendly procedure reassures all involved parties that their information is handled with care and professionalism, enhancing the overall experience and satisfaction.
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Santa Rosa, AZ, delivers excellent value. Companies of all sizes can benefit from high-quality drug testing services without straining their budgets.
Our commitment to affordability and efficiency means businesses in Santa Rosa can rely on our services to maintain workplace safety and compliance without excessive costs, providing peace of mind and value.
In Santa Rosa, AZ, hair follicle tests offer speed and precision in detecting substance use. The high accuracy of these tests ensures that any trace of drugs is reliably identified, making them a preferred choice for those needing fast and accurate results.
The quick analysis of hair samples means employers and individuals in Santa Rosa get the results they need in a timely manner, ensuring no delays in decision-making processes and maintaining a high level of trust in the findings.
For employers in Santa Rosa, AZ, hair follicle testing assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks, providing peace of mind and promoting safety by ensuring that company policies are upheld reliably.
Using reliable hair testing methods encourages a safer and more productive environment, reflecting positively on a company’s commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace, which can improve both morale and external reputation.
