Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands retain a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fiber structures as hair grows. When sourced from near the scalp, hair can offer up to an estimated 3-month detection window for alcohol and drug usage. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal sample for preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional panels, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the sample’s initial integration into the laboratory's system. This step includes verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid check for illicit drug use. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be permissible in legal settings. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid); this is why hair drug testing is considered the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples marked presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated 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: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp
In Orinda, CA, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection capability when compared to urine tests. Benefits include a longer detection time, up to 90 days, which urine tests fail to offer. Hair testing yields a more detailed substance use history, proving more useful in settings with strict anti-drug policies.
Hair follicle testing in Orinda, CA, offers an unparalleled detection window, capturing drug use up to a 90-day period. This method provides a broader overview of an individual’s substance use history, essential for employers eager to maintain a drug-free workplace environment.
With advanced tamper-resistant features, hair follicle testing in Orinda, CA, drastically reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration. Its robust methodology ensures trustworthy results, making it a reliable option for accurate drug screening.
Orinda, CA, benefits from convenient access to nationwide testing facilities, providing quick and hassle-free services. Our extensive network simplifies the process, ensuring efficient drug testing no matter the location.
In Orinda, CA, the process for conducting hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, participating, and receiving results is designed to prioritize privacy while maintaining user-friendliness, addressing potential privacy concerns effectively.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid result delivery in Orinda, CA, hair follicle testing presents excellent value. These features ensure cost-effective and speedy solutions for businesses, providing assurance through financially viable drug testing options.
The accuracy and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing in Orinda, CA, cannot be overstated. These tests provide reliable results by detecting drug usage with higher precision than other methods. It's beneficial to those seeking fast and accurate insights into substance use, making it a preferred choice for numerous evaluators.
Employing hair follicle testing in Orinda, CA, assures adherence to drug-free workplace regulations, minimizing legal threats. It fosters a safer work setting by offering peace of mind through consistent and sound drug testing policies.
