Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair contains a comprehensive record of alcohol and other substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred sample for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional testing, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair might be obtained. Regarding head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair applies to all additional hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary procedures in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample in a lab’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry that hasn't been provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid check for the presence of drugs. Although Screening offers an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If the sample is preliminarily positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are pulled from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging approach to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are preliminarily positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Lakeview, CA, hair tests are superior due to their greater detection accuracy. They offer a more reliable assessment of substance use, proving invaluable for employers and professionals committed to maintaining substance-free environments.
Hair follicle testing in Lakeview, CA, offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days back. This capability provides employers with a comprehensive substance history of an individual, ensuring better informed hiring and monitoring decisions.
Lakeview, CA, benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. This method significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, delivering results that are both reliable and beyond reproach, thus ensuring integrity in substance testing.
With Accessible nationwide and local testing centers, including in Lakeview, CA, obtaining a hair follicle test is straightforward and unobtrusive. This easy access simplifies the testing process, making it convenient for individuals and businesses alike.
The hair testing process in Lakeview, CA, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step ensures privacy and convenience, addressing concerns about data security and ease of use.
Lakeview, CA, offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle testing. Companies, regardless of size, benefit from competitive pricing models and rapid processing times, ensuring excellent value and optimizing business operations.
In Lakeview, CA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and rapid results. This advanced method provides reliable insights into substance usage, ensuring a high level of accuracy unmatched by other testing forms. For those seeking quick and trustworthy results, hair testing stands out as the premier choice.
Employers in Lakeview, CA, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to a drug-free workplace policy. This testing method helps mitigate legal risks and bolsters workplace safety, maintaining compliance with vital standards.
