Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Viewing hair testing as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol usage has become widespread. This method offers an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the filament of the advancing hair strand. When snipped near the scalp, hair grants up to around a 3-month time frame for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, it resists tampering, and shipment is hassle-free.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the prime amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, enhancements, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar mass of body hair may be procured. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core stages in processing a drug test in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase of incorporating a sample into the lab’s system. This stage ensures the sample's sealing and proper shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any leftover information entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although it is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Consequently, samples testing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further verification.
For samples testing presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is harvested from the primary sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underpinning the complexity of hair drug screening compared to other approaches.
To confirm any positive screen results, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are employed. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if needed. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in Avilla Beach, CA, offering superior detection accuracy. With hair analysis, substances can be tracked over a longer period, providing a more comprehensive substance use history. Urine tests may miss recent usage, whereas hair tests offer reliability and precision, making them the preferred choice for thorough drug screening.
Employers in Avilla Beach, CA benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing, covering up to 90 days. This lengthier timeframe allows for a detailed view into an individual’s substance use history, which is critical for making informed decisions about potential hires or current employees, ensuring a safe and compliant work environment.
Hair follicle testing in Avilla Beach, CA is renowned for its resistance to tampering. This test method significantly diminishes the likelihood of sample adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable. The process ensures integrity and trust in drug testing outcomes, safeguarding against attempts to manipulate results.
The convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide centers is unmatched, including in Avilla Beach, CA. These local testing sites allow for quick, easy, and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing services, ensuring that individuals and businesses can efficiently meet their testing needs without unnecessary complications.
In Avilla Beach, CA, the process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential. Every step is designed to protect privacy, ensuring ease of use for all clients. This allows individuals to undergo testing with confidence, knowing that their personal information is secure.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests in Avilla Beach, CA. Companies of all sizes benefit from the affordable rates and efficient results, gaining high value while ensuring compliance with their drug testing policies. This combination delivers peace of mind and financial sensibility.
In Avilla Beach, CA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast and accurate results. The precision with which they detect substance use is unparalleled, making them a reliable method for drug detection. Offering quick results, these tests balance speed and thoroughness, ensuring those who require testing can access timely and precise insights into substance use.
For employers in Avilla Beach, CA, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind and ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By adopting hair tests, companies mitigate legal risks and enhance workplace safety. These tests bolster a company's commitment to a safe environment, reducing the potential for drug-related incidents.
