Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of a growing hair strand can encapsulate biomarkers, providing a chronicled history of alcohol and drug use. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection window extending up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A specimen of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hairs (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) located nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal sample for both initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's beneficial to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inapplicable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test in a laboratory encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a sample within the laboratory's infrastructure. This step involves checking the integrity of the sample's seal and packaging, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any data entry missed by the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a rapid preliminary test for identifying drugs of abuse. While cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive screening result requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Presumptive positives at this stage necessitate additional verification.
If a presumptive positive arises during Screening, excess hair from the original sample is extracted for further analysis. Here, drugs are extracted at concentrations much lower than found in alternative test methods (i.e. urine or oral fluids), explaining the challenge associated with hair drug screening.
To confirm positive screening outcomes, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Any presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before final confirmation. This process spans from Accessioning to Confirmation, all reviewed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle.
When it comes to detecting substance use, hair follicle testing in Clio, CA has clear advantages over traditional urine tests. Not only is hair testing more challenging to evade, but it also offers more reliable detection capabilities. With a longer detection window, hair tests provide a more comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use history, far surpassing the limitations of short-period screening by urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Clio, CA distinguishes itself with an extended detection period of up to 90 days. This long-standing window allows employers to acquire a thorough understanding of an applicant or worker's substance usage over the previous months. Thus, it ensures that any previous drug use is brought to light, offering a comprehensive monitoring solution for substance history.
In Clio, CA, hair follicle drug tests stand out as significantly tamper-resistant, drastically reducing the possibility of sample manipulation. This advantage results in reliable, unquestionable outcomes and is a compelling reason why this testing method is highly preferred over alternatives. The stringent collection process ensures that results remain authentic and valid.
Accredited Drug Testing offers the convenience of nationwide and local locations in Clio, CA, simplifying the testing process. Our wide network ensures that individuals can access testing services easily and promptly, without unnecessary hassles, saving time and effort while obtaining essential drug testing services efficiently.
In Clio, CA, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and discreet. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is designed to be simple while prioritizing confidentiality. This eliminates concerns about privacy breaches and ensures ease of use, providing users with a seamless and worry-free experience.
Our hair follicle testing services in Clio, CA are designed to be affordable while offering swift turnaround times. Companies of all sizes can benefit from our competitive pricing and prompt service delivery, ensuring excellent value without compromising on the quality or speed of obtaining drug testing results.
In Clio, CA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method is lauded for its high precision, as it can effectively identify substance use with an astonishing level of accuracy. The speed of results delivery, combined with this accuracy, provides a clear, dependable picture of an individual's drug use history, making it a trusted option in drug screening.
Utilizing hair follicle testing for workplace drug screening in Clio, CA is pivotal for ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. This testing method aids employers in reducing legal liabilities, promoting a safe work environment, and upholding stringent policy standards, thus providing an overall sense of peace and regulatory assurance.
