Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessment is recognized as an essential technique for identifying the ingestion of drugs and alcohol. Hair strands offer a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair may provide a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, less susceptible to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) located nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding ten panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is best to determine the specimen’s weight using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be lacking, a corresponding volume of body hair can be procured. Mention of head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, while body hair indicates all other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The core steps in the lab analysis of a drug test sample are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial sample handling in a lab's workflow. This step substantiates that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any additional data documentation not completed by an electronic custody system.
Screening is the preliminary assessment for detecting drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates verification to be valid in judicial settings. Samples preliminarily positive at the Screening stage require further confirmation.
For a sample found presumably positive at the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), rendering hair drug analysis a challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any initial positive indication is executed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing pre-confirmation as required. The full procedural review from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", this analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA, hair follicle testing is increasingly recognized as a superior alternative to urine testing. Why Choose Hair Testing?
Hair follicle testing offers critical advantages over urine testing, chiefly its enhanced detection capabilities. Traditional urine tests aren't as effective in capturing long-term drug use, while hair analyses provide a more comprehensive view.
One key advantage of hair follicle testing in Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA is its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to obtain a full understanding of an individual's substance use trends, surpassing what standard urine tests would typically offer.
Within Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA, the hair follicle drug testing method stands out, primarily because it’s significantly more tamper-resistant compared to others. The integrity of hair samples prevents common adulteration techniques seen with urine samples.
In Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA, our hair testing facilities are part of an extensive nationwide network, ensuring accessibility to all. With multiple centers, arranging tests is simplified, offering individuals and organizations convenience and flexibility.
The process for hair follicle testing in Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA simplifies securing results while maintaining confidentiality. Ordered and conducted with discretion, these tests reassure privacy concerns.
Our hair follicle testing services in Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround. This affordability ensures companies can benefit without significant financial outlays, combined with timely results for actionable insights.
The hair follicle drug tests in Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA, provide fast and accurate results, key in discerning substance use. Efficiency in result delivery affirms these tests as the top choice for those needing precise outcomes quickly.
Hair tests deliver not only prompt but reliable results. The speed and precision involved allow organizations to make informed decisions without any delay.
For businesses in Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA, hair follicle tests enhance compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Adopting these tests mitigates legal risks and supports safer workplace standards.
Choosing hair follicle tests ensures businesses remain aligned with compliance standards, thereby fostering a safe and well-regulated working environment.
