Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means to uncover drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strand captures biomarkers from alcohol and drugs, which accumulate in the fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal the presence of substances over nearly a 90-day period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. The term "head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the sample's initial integration into a lab’s system. This stage verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data input not managed by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly option for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result must undergo confirmation to be legally viable. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For samples that are presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are painstakingly extracted at a much lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing uniquely challenging to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumptively positive are washed before confirmation if required. The whole laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the focus is on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in West Hollywood reveals numerous advantages. Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it the preferred choice for many employers and legal entities. The method's extended detection window captures drug use over months, not just days, offering a comprehensive examination that urine tests can't match.
Hair follicle tests in West Hollywood afford a long-term view of drug use, capturing up to 90 days of history. This extensive detection window equips employers with detailed insights into an individual's substance habits, making it an indispensable tool when evaluating long-term patterns rather than short-term activities typical of urine tests.
In West Hollywood, hair follicle testing is revered for its resistance to tampering. Unlike urine specimens, which can be easily adulterated, hair samples significantly lower the chance of manipulation. This ensures that the results are genuine and unquestionable, bolstering trust amongst stakeholders relying on the proven accuracy of tests.
With testing centers conveniently located nationwide, including in West Hollywood, accessing hair follicle drug tests has never been easier. Our widespread network of facilities ensures quick, hassle-free service, allowing individuals and organizations alike to benefit from our comprehensive testing solutions without unnecessary travel or delay.
West Hollywood's hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, from ordering to results receipt. This ensures that privacy concerns are addressed effectively while maintaining ease of use, allowing individuals and businesses to engage in testing without apprehension about security or complexity.
In West Hollywood, our hair follicle testing services boast competitive pricing and swift turnaround, creating excellent value for businesses. Conforming to budget constraints, our cost-effective solutions deliver peace of mind, catering to companies as small as startups or as large as multinational corporations alike.
In West Hollywood, hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision and speed. The method's high accuracy enables reliable substance use detection. Not only do these tests provide fast results, but they also present an impeccable record of identifying even minimal drug ingestion over extended periods, ensuring the dependability that employers seek.
Employers in West Hollywood gain substantial assurance through hair follicle testing compliance. By ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, organizations diminish legal risks while enhancing safety. The accuracy and reliability of hair tests foster a secure working environment, meeting regulatory standards effortlessly.
