Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis now stands out as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. By gathering hair close to the scalp, it can reveal an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
Gathering a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hairs (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair might be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four essential phases involved in the lab analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This incorporates confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an early brisk check for substances of misuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen must be authenticated to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples showing a presumptively positive result in Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive result during the Screening stage, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations than via other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples showing presumptive positive results undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Atascadero, CA, when comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, the former proves superior in many aspects. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy, uncovering substance use over time with little chance of contamination. They surpass urine tests by providing a more reliable assessment of a person's drug history, essential for maintaining drug-free environments.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Atascadero, CA, supports employers in evaluating long-term drug use. Covering up to 90 days, it provides insight into an individual's substance history, facilitating informed hiring and compliance decisions.
This method ensures that both employers and employees benefit from an in-depth understanding of past drug consumption.
Hair follicle tests in Atascadero, CA, offer a tamper-resistant solution to drug testing challenges. Their structure effectively prevents adulteration, ensuring that the results remain trustworthy and difficult to fake.
The testing process is secure and offers undeniable authenticity, enhancing trust in the results.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations nationwide, including local sites in Atascadero, CA. Our centers ensure that accessing drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free, facilitating quick and easy services.
We prioritize your convenience with comprehensive solutions right in your vicinity.
The process of hair follicle testing in Atascadero, CA, is both simple and confidential. From test ordering to result retrieval, our approach prioritizes ease of use and privacy. We address any privacy concerns effectively, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
Your confidentiality is our utmost priority at every stage.
Our pricing for hair follicle testing in Atascadero, CA, is competitive, offering excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Alongside affordable costs, we assure fast turnaround times, providing peace of mind and quality services. Our structure of pricing and speed ensures you receive optimum value either as a small business or a large corporation.
In Atascadero, CA, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results for substance screening. This method offers high precision in identifying drug and alcohol use, making it an essential tool for employers and professionals requiring thorough and timely results.
The speed of receiving test outcomes ensures quick decision-making and maintains workplace safety.
Implementing hair follicle tests in Atascadero, CA, guarantees peace of mind for employers, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace standards. This testing fosters a safer environment, reduces potential legal complications, and upholds company policies. Employers benefit from a more secure, drug-free setting, contributing to overall workplace safety.
