Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective resource for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term account of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers in the structure of the growing hair strand. A sample taken near the scalp can offer nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that wasn't provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method for eliminating drug use in the majority of samples, a court-admissible positive screen must be confirmed. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample appears presumptively positive at the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptively positive results are pre-cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, excluding the follicle under the scalp.
Lagunitas, CA prefers hair follicle testing over urine tests, given its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide accurate and comprehensive information, surpassing traditional urine-based screenings.
Comparatively, hair testing delivers better insights into substance use history, while urine tests lack the same depth and range. The robust reliability of hair testing shields employers from potential inaccuracies, ensuring a clear depiction of an individual's drug history.
In Lagunitas, CA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is unparalleled, as it allows for drug detection up to 90 days. This extended scope offers employers an all-encompassing view of a test subject's substance use.
Providing a substantial window for identifying substance use, the hair follicle test is an invaluable tool in comprehensive employee assessments, giving a clearer picture of long-term habits as opposed to shorter-term urine test results.
Hair follicle testing in Lagunitas, CA is notably resistant to tampering, ensuring the integrity of each sample is maintained throughout the testing process. This test greatly reduces the risk of adulterating the test sample.
By significantly minimizing any potential for manipulation, hair tests provide unquestionable reliability. This tamper-resistant nature makes them a preferred choice for many testing scenarios, including legal and employment contexts.
Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous convenient locations for hair tests nationwide, including Lagunitas, CA, ensuring quick and hassle-free access to necessary testing.
With both widespread and local availability, individuals in Lagunitas are assured easy and streamlined access to testing services. Our comprehensive network of testing centers exemplifies convenience and reach, simplifying the testing process.
The hair follicle testing process in Lagunitas, CA is simple and confidential, ensuring worries about privacy are unfounded. From ordering to testing and results, the entire journey is straightforward.
This streamlined process means individuals can partake in necessary testing without anxiety over privacy. The confidentiality inherent in the procedure ensures that results are securely handled, aimed at easing any test-related apprehensions.
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times at Accredited Drug Testing in Lagunitas, CA provide exceptional value across company sizes. Our cost-effective solutions and rapid results are designed to offer both affordability and promptness.
Offering fast results without a high cost means excellent value for businesses, ensuring that both small and large companies can access reliable testing without financial strain. These services grant the advantage of quick, dependable insights at accessible prices.
The hair follicle test in Lagunitas, CA stands out for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. Its high precision ensures that substance use is effectively detected, providing a detailed assessment of an individual's drug usage.
Offering swift results combined with unparalleled accuracy, the hair follicle testing method is ideal for those requiring dependable insights. In Lagunitas, individuals and organizations benefit from timely, accurate testing outcomes, paving the way for informed decisions.
Employers in Lagunitas, CA achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to workplace drug policies and heightening safety measures. This testing supports organizational objectives of maintaining a drug-free environment.
Through this testing method, companies can reduce legal liabilities and enhance workplace safety. Hair testing safeguards both compliance and well-being, making it indispensable for modern organizational protocols.
