Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair sampling has emerged as an efficient means for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair can provide an extensive record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can indicate alcohol and drug use for roughly up to three months. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, complicates adulteration attempts, and facilitates easy shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), taken nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For tests like EtG add-ons or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing specimens. If scalp hair isn’t available, a proportional quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, whereas body hair refers to any other hair types (including facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results primarily involves the steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample within a laboratory’s workflow. This encompasses validating the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although screening is a cost-efficient method to negate the presence of drugs in most samples, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to be considered court-admissible. Any samples that presumptively test positive during Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for preparation during Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), leading to hair drug screening being regarded as a more challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process encompassing Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When considering drug tests in Anderson, CA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several ways. It offers unparalleled detection accuracy, providing a reliable means of identifying substance use without the common pitfalls of urine tests.
The reliability of hair testing stems from its broader range of detection capabilities compared to urine tests. It’s an insightful tool for assessing long-term substance use, making it the preferred choice in Anderson.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Anderson, CA is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, it provides employers with a detailed view into an individual's substance history.
This expansive detection period allows Anderson-based employers to make informed decisions based on comprehensive drug use data, rather than relying on the shorter timeframe of traditional tests.
Hair follicle tests in Anderson, CA, are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. By significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests ensure that the results are both reliable and trustworthy.
The inherent design of hair testing makes altering samples extremely difficult, thus providing confidence in the integrity of the data collected during the testing process in Anderson.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience with its numerous testing centers across the nation and locally in Anderson, CA. The accessibility of our services guarantees easy and hassle-free testing experiences for individuals in need.
With strategically placed facilities, getting tested in Anderson becomes a seamless process, highlighting our commitment to providing accessible and comprehensive testing solutions nationwide.
In Anderson, CA, engaging with hair follicle testing is a straightforward and confidential process. From ordering to testing and result retrieval, the procedure remains unobtrusive, addressing users' privacy concerns.
This simple approach ensures that individuals in Anderson can confidently participate in testing without apprehension about privacy or complex protocols.
Accredited Drug Testing in Anderson, CA offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests. This ensures businesses receive excellent service value while maintaining cost-efficiency.
The affordability paired with fast results benefits companies in Anderson of all sizes, supporting their commitment to effective and economical substance testing solutions.
In Anderson, CA, hair follicle drug tests offer not only precision but expediency in delivering results. The accuracy in identifying substance use is unmatched, ensuring reliable outcomes that stakeholders can trust.
Emphasizing speed, these tests quickly return definitive results, aiding efficient decision-making. With their high degree of precision, hair follicle tests in Anderson ensure substance use is accurately pinpointed.
For employers in Anderson, CA, hair follicle testing offers compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes legal risks while enhancing overall workplace safety by ensuring no substance use goes undetected.
This testing method provides peace of mind for Anderson employers, knowing that they are supported by a system that upholds stringent drug use policies and safeguards against potential legal challenges.