Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has emerged as an essential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture long-term evidence of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the fiber of the growing hair. When sampled from the scalp, hair offers up to a three-month window for detecting the presence of substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It is advised to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is logged into a laboratory's system. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial quick assessment for drug use. While screening is a cost-effective means of excluding drug use for many samples, a positive screen must be validated to hold up in court. Samples flagged as potentially positive during screening require further confirmation.
For samples marked as presumptively positive during screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for the Extraction phase. At this stage, hair-based drug assays extract drugs in significantly lower concentrations than seen in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening more challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening findings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive receive a wash before confirmation is undertaken. Every aspect of the laboratory's work, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the standards for ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In California Hot Springs, CA, hair follicle testing proves superior to traditional urine tests due to its high detection accuracy and reliability. By identifying drug use over a longer period, it offers greater insight into an individual's substance habits compared to urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in California Hot Springs, CA, effectively identifies drug use over extended periods—up to 90 days. This long detection window empowers employers to understand an employee or candidate's substance use history more thoroughly, aiding confident decision-making.
In California Hot Springs, CA, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method, minimizing sample adulteration risks. This ensures that the test results are reliable and trustworthy, providing peace of mind to entities relying on these drug-testing services.
With nationwide locations and centers in California Hot Springs, CA, accessing hair follicle testing services is both easy and convenient. Quick and hassle-free testing solutions are available to meet the needs of individuals and organizations alike.
In California Hot Springs, CA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From order to results, steps are designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use, addressing concerns regarding the handling of sensitive information.
In California Hot Springs, CA, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This competitive pricing structure provides excellent value for companies of varied sizes, offering peace of mind and quick results.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in California Hot Springs, CA, make them an excellent choice for detecting substance use. With their high accuracy, these tests provide reliable information quickly, helping authorities make informed decisions in record time.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in California Hot Springs, CA, helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, this method offers peace of mind to employers looking to maintain a secure work environment.
