Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug presence by incorporating biomarkers in the strands as they grow. Hair collected near the scalp can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to send.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, the optimum sample for testing and confirming. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When talking about head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in processing a drug test outcome in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step of incorporating a sample into a lab's system. It involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any extra data recording not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid examination for substance abuse. While screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that show a presumptive positive in screening require further confirmation.
If screening results in a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the toughest methodologies to carry out.
Confirmation for any positive screen is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed by both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the strand of hair, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Alturas, CA, hair follicle testing eclipses traditional urine tests through superior accuracy. Detection spans up to 90 days, far exceeding urine tests. This method caters well to employers enforcing zero-drug policies, enabling robust detection of substance use.
Urine tests might miss past substance usage, while hair tests provide a broader scope of drug history due to their retention span, making them more reliable.
The advantage of hair follicle testing in Alturas, CA is the extended detection window it offers. With the ability to discover drug use over the past 90 days, it enables employers to gain an in-depth view of a subject's substance history.
This extended period allows for the identification of repeated or past infrequent use rather than recent intake alone, enhancing the overall screening process comprehensively.
In Alturas, CA, hair follicle testing provides a robust safeguard against sample tampering. Reliability in results is achieved as hair tests are resistant to adulteration, unlike other methods that are more susceptible to interference.
Hair samples are collected under careful observation, significantly reducing risk of manipulation and ensuring authentic, trustworthy outcomes.
Accessing drug testing services in Alturas, CA is made convenient through our nationwide network of testing centers, simplifying the process with ease of access.
Whether in Alturas or elsewhere, our expansive reach ensures that tests are conducted swiftly and without hassle, offering flexibility and efficiency for all users.
Our testing process in Alturas, CA is both simple and private, ensuring the confidentiality of clients. Ordering a test is straightforward, and results are delivered discreetly.
This process addresses privacy concerns effectively while ensuring ease of use, giving clients confidence in security and simplicity throughout the procedure.
In Alturas, CA, we provide competitive pricing for hair follicle tests, coupled with quick result delivery. Our pricing structure caters to businesses of various sizes, ensuring accessibility.
Fast turnaround combined with cost-effectiveness underscores the exceptional value offered, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to maintain budget whilst ensuring thorough testing.
Hair follicle testing in Alturas, CA, provides rapid and exact outcomes, pivotal for detecting substance use. The precision of these tests surpasses traditional methods by ensuring high accuracy.
These tests not only verify past drug use comprehensively but also deliver results swiftly, allowing for quick decision-making. Their reliability offers unparalleled assurance.
Opting for hair follicle testing in Alturas, CA allows employers to uphold workplace policies effectively. By ensuring adherence to drug-free environments, legal risks are minimized and safety is bolstered.
This method of testing ensures peace of mind by decreasing the chances of false negatives and maintaining a compliant workforce, aiding in legal assurance and operational safety.
