What it is, How it works

Hair analyses have emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance use by encasing biomarkers within its growing strands. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, it's quite challenging to tamper with, and it's easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the head yields 100mg, the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. In the absence of head hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other kinds such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The key phases in the laboratory assessment of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning manages the initial integration of a specimen into a lab system. This process checks that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry that isn’t covered by an electronic custody chain.

Screening is a preliminary fast assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive outcome requires a confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples with preliminary positive results in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

For samples testing positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is separated from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at noticeably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is considered one of the most intricate testing techniques.

Confirming any positive Screening outcomes is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation, if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

Extensive detection period: Hair drug analyses can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a limited detection span.
Challenging to deceive: It is notably difficult to fake a hair drug test, enhancing accuracy.
Delivers historical insights: It can depict drug use patterns over time, rather than just current use.

Limitations:

Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the presence of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment is conducted on the hair strand, not on the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing in Riverdale, CA, presents numerous advantages. One significant benefit is the superior detection accuracy offered by hair testing, which is less susceptible to tampering.

Compared to urine tests that may miss long-term usage, hair tests offer a robust, thorough analysis. This reliability makes them the preferred option for those looking to uncover a comprehensive substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Riverdale, CA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window for substance use. Unlike urine tests that capture recent usage, hair tests provide a historical overview of up to 90 days.

Long-term detection gives insight into chronic use.
A more comprehensive analysis of an individual’s substance use behaviors.

This extended window makes hair follicle testing an excellent choice for employers and professionals screening applicants or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Riverdale, CA, significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering, providing unmatched reliability.

This testing method has innate design features that make it difficult to adulterate, offering peace of mind to employers and substance abuse professionals.

Almost impossible to manipulate.
Trustworthy results that can stand strong in legal and regulatory settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Riverdale, CA residents benefit from numerous convenient testing locations nationwide. These centers make the process straightforward and ensure access to high-quality drug testing services.

Easily accessible nationwide testing centers.
Local service availability in Riverdale for quick, hassle-free testing.

These options ensure individuals can access needed testing quickly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle drug testing in Riverdale, CA, offers a simple and confidential process, safeguarding privacy at every step.

From ordering to testing and receiving results, the process is user-friendly and ensures confidentiality, addressing any privacy concerns individuals might have.

Secure handling of personal data.
Transparency in procedural practices.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Riverdale, CA, affordable pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle tests accessible and valuable to companies of all sizes.

Cost-effective solutions backed by rapid delivery of results.
Excellent value supporting comprehensive substance use screening.

These benefits cater to budget-conscious entities focusing on achieving dependable, quick substance testing outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them a preferred choice in Riverdale, CA. Their ability to precisely detect substance use is unparalleled, offering fast and reliable results unparalleled by other methods.

Immediate and dependable detection of drug use.
High-precision analysis with rapid turnaround times.

This testing approach ensures that individuals receive their results swiftly without compromising accuracy or reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Riverdale, CA, can maintain compliance with workplace drug policies through hair follicle testing. This method supports zero-tolerance stances effectively.