Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the growing strands, offering a longitudinal record of substance use. When trimmed near the scalp, hair can reveal a roughly 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process is straightforward, tamper-resistant, and facilitates easy shipping.
Procuring a 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, an optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is advised. Should scalp hair be absent, a similar volume of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of drug tests consists primarily of four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial incorporation into the laboratory system. Tasks include verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry absent in electronic chain of custody systems.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment to identify substances. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use in many samples, any positive screen demands confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples with a presumptively positive screening require further confirmation.
For a presumptively positive sample during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. This process involves retrieving drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are prewashed as necessary before Confirmation. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation receives oversight under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests," these analyses target the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in North Antelope Valley, CA
In North Antelope Valley, CA, hair follicle testing holds significant advantages over traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in North Antelope Valley, CA
In the realm of drug testing in North Antelope Valley, CA, the unmatched advantage of hair follicle testing lies in its extended detection window. This method screens substance use up to 90 days prior, offering employers a comprehensive review of an employee's drug history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in North Antelope Valley, CA
In North Antelope Valley, CA, hair follicle testing is lauded for its robustness against sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair tests make adulteration near impossible.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in North Antelope Valley, CA
Our nationwide and local centers in North Antelope Valley, CA, make drug testing remarkably convenient.
Simple, Confidential Process in North Antelope Valley, CA
The hair follicle testing process in North Antelope Valley, CA is designed for ease and privacy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in North Antelope Valley, CA
Our services in North Antelope Valley, CA, are both cost-effective and swift.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in North Antelope Valley, CA
For residents of North Antelope Valley, CA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its speed and precision.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in North Antelope Valley, CA
For businesses in North Antelope Valley, CA, hair follicle testing is a cornerstone for ensuring compliance with workplace drug policies.
