Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale is suggested for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't present, an equivalent weight of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The four crucial stages in processing a drug test in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary input of a sample into a lab system. This step includes confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAB (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug usage for most samples, any positive findings necessitate confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge in methodology.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with tentative positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand itself, not the subscalp follicle
Hair follicle testing is gaining prominence in Gonzales, CA as it outperforms traditional urine tests.
In Gonzales, CA, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection period of up to 90 days, allowing employers to evaluate an individual's substance history thoroughly.
In Gonzales, CA, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant testing method.
Convenience is key with nationwide and local testing locations in Gonzales, CA.
In Gonzales, CA, the hair testing process is simple and confidential.
Our services in Gonzales, CA ensure affordability and fast turnaround.
In Gonzales, CA, hair follicle drug tests provide precise and speedy outcomes.
The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use is unparalleled.
In Gonzales, CA, using hair follicle testing provides employers with compliance and peace of mind.