Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record for alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered from the area near the scalp, hair can offer an approximately 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch segment comprised of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp supplies 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. In terms of head hair, this specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other kinds (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The process of analyzing a drug test outcome in the laboratory includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step where a sample is recorded into the laboratory system. This phase checks that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns an Arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers an initial swift evaluation for drug abuse presence. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to deduce the non-use of drugs in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate an additional verification step.
When a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex testing method.
Verification of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before verification, all presumptive positive samples undergo a cleaning as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Verification is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair vs. Urine Testing: In Diamond Springs, CA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in terms of detection span and reliability. While urine tests can detect recent use, hair tests provide a broader view, capturing patterns over a longer term.
Superior Detection: Hair follicle drug tests cover up to 90 days of substance history, offering a more comprehensive and reliable detection method compared to traditional urine tests, ensuring thorough evaluations.
Extended Detection Capabilities: Hair follicle testing in Diamond Springs, CA enables employers to observe up to 90 days of substance use, offering a detailed perspective of an individual's drug history, ensuring informed hiring decisions.
Comprehensive Overview: This expansive detection window gives businesses a clear understanding of substance use tendencies, showcasing how hair follicle testing uncovers drug use across an extended period.
Resisting Tampering: Hair follicle tests in Diamond Springs, CA pose significant deterrents against sample tampering, delivering dependable and unquestionable results, crucial for maintaining integrity in drug testing.
Reliability Guaranteed: The robust nature of hair testing minimizes the risk of adulteration, ensuring that results remain accurate and trustworthy, offering a layer of security against fraudulent practices.
Nationwide Convenience: With testing centers located nationwide, including Diamond Springs, CA, accessing our services is convenient and hassle-free, providing simple access to necessary testing.
Local Access: Our extensive network means that wherever you are, quick and easy testing is available, ensuring you can meet your testing needs without delay or inconvenience.
Effortless and Private: The hair follicle testing process in Diamond Springs, CA is simple and ensures confidentiality, giving peace of mind with easy ordering, testing, and result access.
Privacy Protected: We prioritize the privacy and ease of our clients, offering a seamless and confidential testing journey, ensuring all personal information remains secure.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Offering competitive pricing for hair follicle tests in Diamond Springs, CA allows companies of all sizes access to this superior testing method without financial strain.
Quick Turnaround: Enjoy fast result times alongside affordable pricing, ensuring that businesses receive excellent value while maintaining effective drug testing protocols.
Speed and Precision: Hair follicle tests offer swift and accurate results, vital for those seeking reliable substance use detection in Diamond Springs, CA. The process ensures prompt analysis, allowing individuals and employers to receive results quickly.
Accuracy Assurance: The hair follicle testing method is renowned for its precision, offering high levels of accuracy in detecting various substances, facilitating informed decision-making for all parties involved.
Compliance Assurance: In Diamond Springs, CA, hair follicle testing aids employers in upholding drug-free workplaces, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety, thus ensuring peace of mind.
Safety and Compliance: By implementing hair testing, organizations can better comply with regulations and maintain robust workplace policies, fostering a secure and legally compliant environment.
