Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
As a robust means to identify drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing is gaining recognition. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within its growing fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) from nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" pertains only to scalp hair. "Body hair" covers all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
Four critical stages make up the laboratory process for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning stage entails initial sample processing in a laboratory's system. This involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers an economical way to rule out drug use in most samples, positive results must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any sample testing positive in Screening necessitates secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for the Extraction process. Here, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), contributing to the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirming any positive screening results is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All positive samples undergo washing before needed confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle
In Walnut Grove, CA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a prolonged detection window of up to 90 days, far exceeding the shorter time frame of urine tests.
Compared to urine tests, hair testing in Walnut Grove provides more reliable results, capturing a longer substance history and thus offering a more comprehensive screening solution.
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in Walnut Grove, CA, makes it an invaluable tool. It can reveal drug use going back as far as 90 days, providing employers insight into an applicant's or employee's substance history.
This method's long detection period gives a detailed overview of an individual's substance activities, surpassing many other testing methods in scope.
One of the key strengths of hair follicle tests in Walnut Grove, CA, is their tamper-resistant nature. This drastically reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results that are both reliable and unquestionable.
The secure collection process of hair testing makes it exceedingly difficult to manipulate the outcome, providing a trustworthy option for drug screening.
Our wide-ranging network of testing centers, including those in Walnut Grove, CA, makes accessing hair follicle testing convenient. These locations provide quick and easy services to ensure a hassle-free testing experience.
The extensive reach of our testing centers ensures that no matter where you are located, access to reliable testing is always within reach, making the process effortless and seamless.
In Walnut Grove, CA, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, we prioritize ease of use and privacy, addressing any client concerns.
With a streamlined approach, our testing ensures that the entire process remains discrete and efficient, respecting individuals' privacy at every stage.
Our hair follicle testing services in Walnut Grove, CA, boast affordable pricing structures along with fast turnaround times, delivering exceptional value. These competitive advantages cater to companies of all scales, large or small.
By offering rapid and cost-effective solutions, we provide businesses with the peace of mind of knowing they have a reliable partner in fulfilling their drug testing needs efficiently.
Located in Walnut Grove, CA, our hair follicle testing is lauded for its precision and speed, offering fast, accurate results. This method stands out due to its high accuracy in detecting substances, giving clients peace of mind with reliable outcomes.
With hair follicle testing, we ensure results that are not just quick but also highly accurate, capturing a comprehensive picture of any substance use effectively and efficiently.
Employers in Walnut Grove, CA, benefit from incorporating hair follicle testing for its ability to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This practice reduces legal risks and bolsters workplace safety.
Hair testing not only ensures higher compliance with company policies but also enhances peace of mind by substantially cutting down on potential drug-related issues within the workplace.
