Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers approximately a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, a bit challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, an ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When referring to head hair, it strictly implies scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample undergoes initial processing into a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample is properly sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary, quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most cases, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be legal in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted at substantially lower concentrations from hair than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any screening positives is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently known as "hair follicle tests," the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair and urine drug tests, Yolo, CA prefers hair testing for its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests offer longer detection periods, ensuring more reliable results compared to traditional urine tests, which detect short-term use.
The advantage of hair testing lies in its comprehensive timeline, identifying drug use up to 90 days. This longer window provides a more accurate reflection of an individual's substance history.
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing is a standout feature in Yolo, CA. These tests can reveal substance use spanning 90 days, presenting employers with an in-depth view of an individual's drug use history.
This extensive detection capability allows employers to make informed decisions about applicants, ensuring a sober and responsible workforce, thus promoting better safety and productivity.
In Yolo, CA, hair follicle tests provide a robust solution against tampering. This method ensures sample integrity, minimizing the risk of result adulteration and delivering unquestionable outcomes.
By significantly reducing tampering possibilities, hair follicle testing establishes a more secure and dependable process for detecting substance use effectively.
Ensuring accessibility in Yolo, CA, our nationwide testing centers offer convenience and ease. With local centers, clients experience hassle-free testing, simplifying the process regardless of their location.
The extensive network facilitates swift access to testing, making attendance convenient for participants and thereby enhancing service efficiency and client satisfaction.
In Yolo, CA, our hair testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. We prioritize privacy, ensuring that ordering, taking, and receiving results is hassle-free and secure for users.
We address privacy concerns comprehensively, providing a testing experience that combines ease with discretion, guaranteeing client satisfaction and trust.
Our competitive pricing in Yolo, CA, alongside rapid turnaround times, makes hair testing affordable for companies of all sizes. We pride ourselves on delivering quality at great value.
Organizations can rest assured knowing that they receive cost-effective service without compromising on the speed and reliability required for their drug testing needs.
In Yolo, CA, hair follicle drug testing is lauded for its speed and accuracy. Known for providing swift results, these tests deliver high precision in detecting substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes.
The efficacy of hair follicle testing lies in its meticulous approach, capturing detailed substance use patterns. This testing method is synonymous with fast and accurate results that stakeholders can trust.
Employers in Yolo, CA find assurance in using hair follicle testing for compliance, as it supports drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and fosters a safer work environment.
Hair testing provides peace of mind, eliminating uncertainty and allowing companies to maintain rigorous standards without compromising their legal standing or safety protocols.