Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a comprehensive record of substance intake by encapsulating biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When hair is taken from the area closest to the scalp, it can offer a detection period of as long as nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. Gathering hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length with around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If head hair isn't obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial and underarm hair).
Process Overview
The process in the lab for determining drug test results includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves incorporating a sample into the laboratory's procedure. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input not covered by an electronic tracking system.
Screening is an initial rapid analysis for signs of drug consumption. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result from this step must be verified before it can be used in legal proceedings. Samples that test positive in Screening will require further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is obtained from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, substances are removed from hair at a significantly lower density compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), highlighting why hair drug tests are the most challenging to conduct.
Confirmation for any positive Screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before Confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines as well as accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Perks of hair drug tests:
Disadvantages:
Note: Despite being often dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Shell Ridge, CA, hair follicle testing provides significant advantages over urine tests. One key benefit is the extended detection period, which covers up to 90 days. Unlike urine tests, hair samples offer a broader overview of substance use, making them more reliable for detecting long-term consumption patterns.
Compared to traditional urine tests, the accuracy of hair testing is superior. Hair tests evaluate permanent markers of drug intake, reducing the risk of inaccurate readings that might occur due to temporary abstinence before testing.
Employers in Shell Ridge, CA, leverage hair follicle testing for its extended detection window. It allows checks for up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance history. This extended view aids employers in understanding applicants or workers' long-term drug use patterns, unlike short-term windows of urine tests.
The extensive detection window of hair tests offers an accurate snapshot extending beyond recent usage, crucial for maintaining drug-free workplaces. This feature gives employers a thorough understanding of potential risks linked to substance abuse.
In Shell Ridge, CA, the reliability of hair follicle drug tests stems from their tamper-resistant nature. The challenges associated with adulterating hair samples make them hard to manipulate, ensuring test integrity and trustworthy outcomes.
Hair follicle testing minimizes sample adulteration, offering nearly foolproof results. With its resistance to tampering, organizations gain assurance of accuracy, providing clear benefits over other methods prone to manipulation.
Accredited Drug Testing establishes convenient locations in Shell Ridge, CA, capable of nationwide services. These centers facilitate effortless access to comprehensive hair follicle testing, making the testing process seamless from start to finish.
Testing at Shell Ridge, CA, includes local and nationwide centers, highlighting the accessibility of reliable and quick testing services. These locations aim to provide stress-free experiences, catering to broad client needs.
The simplicity and confidentiality of hair testing in Shell Ridge, CA, offer clients peace of mind. Our streamlined procedures ensure ease in ordering, completing, and receiving results while fully preserving privacy.
Our processes in Shell Ridge prioritize a simple, yet secure, testing pathway. Clients can comfortably navigate testing without concerns over confidentiality, guaranteeing a smooth, respectful experience throughout.
In Shell Ridge, CA, competitive pricing coupled with quick processing times characterizes our hair testing services. Clients benefit from cost-effective solutions that ensure timely results, providing excellent service value for all.
Our affordable pricing structures in Shell Ridge ensure that our fast turnaround times are accessible to companies of all sizes, offering exceptional value. These features place our services as front-runners in drug testing confidence and efficiency.
In Shell Ridge, CA, hair follicle drug testing offers swift and precise results. The method's robustness ensures the detection of various substances at high accuracy levels. Hair tests stand out due to their low chance of error, giving stakeholders confidence in the results.
Accuracy and speed are top priorities in Shell Ridge drug testing facilities. Hair follicle tests quickly deliver rock-solid outcomes, ensuring that substance usage is identified correctly, thus aiding significant decision-making processes.
Employers in Shell Ridge, CA, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. These tests bolster adherence to drug-free policies, reducing legal vulnerabilities and enhancing workplace safety.
Hair testing methods are pivotal for maintaining a compliant work environment in Shell Ridge. It helps decrease legal risks associated with substance use, safeguarding the company’s interests and employee well-being.
