Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greenbrae, CA

What it is, How it works

Recognized as a compelling method, hair testing has become integral in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibrous growth, hair provides an extensive timeline of alcohol and other drugs. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection scope of nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, notably challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 strands (roughly matching a #2 pencil in size), adjacent to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG, additional requests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advised. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair are exclusively about scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The procedure of processing a drug test result in a laboratory comprises four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the introductory process of integrating the sample within a laboratory’s framework. This phase involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and sent, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and fulfilling any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, swift examination for substances of abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most cases, any positive outcome requires confirmation to be legitimate for legal proceedings. Presumptive positive samples in Screening necessitate secondary affirmation.

For presumptively positive samples in Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. Here, drug removal from hair is undertaken at a much reduced concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Positive screening outcomes undergo confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed pre-confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage up to 90 days, versus the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: The difficulty in manipulating the hair drug test enhances result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: Provides an insight into drug usage patterns over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally carry a higher price point than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Attributes such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While they are often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine methods in Greenbrae, CA, the former offers superior detection accuracy and is more reliable. Hair tests provide an extended detection period, giving a clear overview of substance use without the limitations of conventional urine analysis.

Urine tests may once have been the standard, but hair tests now offer an unmatched level of precision. In Greenbrae, CA, the advantages of hair analysis over urine tests are evident in their ability to deliver clearer insights into long-term substance usage.

Extended Detection Window

One of the leading benefits of opting for hair follicle testing in Greenbrae, CA, is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, hair tests track drug usage for up to 90 days, offering a complete look at an individual's substance history.

This longer detection period provided by hair tests in Greenbrae, CA, means employers can make informed decisions with a comprehensive view of a candidate's or employee's past drug activity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Greenbrae, CA, offer a tamper-resistant solution to drug testing. The methodology used drastically reduces the risk of sample manipulation, resulting in reliable findings that stand up to scrutiny.

By choosing hair analysis, businesses across Greenbrae, CA, can trust the results, knowing they stem from a process designed to prevent tampering, thus ensuring unquestionable accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our wide-reaching network, including convenient locations in Greenbrae, CA, ensures nationwide and local access to hair follicle testing services, providing an easy and hassle-free testing process wherever you may be.

With strategically placed centers, our Greenbrae, CA, clients experience swift service, making the drug testing process simple and efficient, no matter where it takes place across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Greenbrae, CA, is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to maintain discretion and ease of use.

Choosing our services in Greenbrae, CA, means engaging in a straightforward procedure, ensuring privacy throughout, which is ideal for those concerned with keeping test results confidential.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing in Greenbrae, CA, delivers excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from our competitive structures, gaining peace of mind with each test.

In Greenbrae, CA, our cost-effective services offer swift results without compromising quality. This combination of affordability and speed makes our testing solutions the right choice for businesses aiming for efficiency.