Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing has emerged as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drug use by preserving biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer up to an approximate 3-month detection period for substances like alcohol and other drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, making it challenging to tamper with, and it's also easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil), collected close to the scalp, yields approximately 100mg of hair—considered the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or when tests exceed 10 panels, it's advisable to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. If there’s a lack of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the stage where a sample is initially integrated into the laboratory’s system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary swift check for drugs of abuse. Although conclusive for ruling out drug usage in most samples cost-effectively, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally acceptable. A secondary confirmation is necessary for any screens that are positive.
Should a sample test positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.
Confirmation of any positive screenings is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Prevails over urine tests lies in its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. In Idria, CA, this method reveals longer substance use histories, granting it superiority over traditional urine analysis methods, making it ideal for comprehensive assessments.
Extended Detection Window with hair follicle testing in Idria, CA spans up to 90 days, offering employers an extensive look into an individual's drug history, aiding in informed decision-making and highlighting past substance use more effectively than other methods.
Tamper-Resistant Methods of hair follicle testing in Idria, CA significantly mitigate the possibility of sample alteration, ensuring dependable results that remain unquestionable and maintain the integrity of the testing process.
Convenient Testing Locations nationwide and locally in Idria, CA, make accessing drug testing services straightforward, promoting a stress-free experience through our numerous testing centers, designed to accommodate various needs efficiently.
Simple and Confidential Process in Idria, CA ensures ease of ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests, addressing privacy concerns seamlessly, fostering confidence in a hassle-free testing experience.
Affordable Pricing and Swift Turnaround offer excellent value for companies in Idria, CA. Competitive pricing paired with fast results delivers peace of mind, meeting diverse budgetary and operational needs with efficiency and reliability.
Precision and Speed: Hair Follicle Tests offer unmatched precision and speed, providing rapid results essential for time-sensitive evaluations in Idria, CA. Their ability to detect a vast range of substances accurately ensures effective assessments.
Compliance and Employer Assurance are enhanced through hair follicle testing, ensuring Idria, CA establishments adhere to drug-free work policies, minimizing legal concerns and bolstering overall workplace safety through reliable testing methods.
