Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within its strands, preserving a record of substance use over time. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands, comparable in size to a #2 pencil, yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample is suggested. If no scalp hair is available, the same measure of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair imply only scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
There are four primary phases in lab processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves bringing a sample into a lab's workflow, checking if it’s properly sealed and sent, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary drug abuse check. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use across most samples, a positive screen mandates further verification to be legally acceptable. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably complex.
Verification of a positive screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under the CAP Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
For those in Avondale, CO, the choice between hair follicle and urine tests is becoming increasingly clear; hair testing provides superior detection accuracy. Whereas traditional urine tests detect recent drug usage, hair tests offer an expanded detection window, capturing a broader spectrum of substance use habits.
The reliability of hair follicle tests makes them invaluable for employers and legal entities aiming for rigorous substance control. Employers invested in maintaining a drug-free workplace will benefit from hair testing's superior accuracy and reliability over urine tests.
Hair follicle tests deliver an unrivaled detection window of up to 90 days for drug use in Avondale, CO. This extended period allows employers a comprehensive view of substance use history, as opposed to the short-term window offered by urine tests.
By analyzing hair samples, organizations can better assess potential hires or monitor current employees, ensuring a commitment to a drug-free environment over time. Hair testing offers a detailed insight into substance use patterns, critical for long-term decision-making.
In Avondale, CO, the security of hair follicle testing minimizes the risk of sample tampering, providing reliable outcomes. The inherent nature of hair samples means adulterating or substituting samples is nearly impossible compared to urine samples, which can be altered with ease.
This secure method ensures that the results are both dependable and resistant to manipulation, granting peace of mind to employers, legal authorities, and other key stakeholders.
In Avondale, CO, accessing drug testing has never been more convenient, thanks to our widespread testing center locations. Offering nationwide coverage ensures individuals can find a testing site that's close, simplifying the process considerably.
Whether locally in Avondale or elsewhere, our comprehensive network ensures a seamless testing experience with minimal travel or logistical hassles, supporting prompt and efficient testing processes.
In Avondale, CO, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward, maintaining confidentiality at all stages. From ordering to receiving results, every step is handled with the utmost privacy and simplicity.
Understanding users' needs for security, we prioritize an unobtrusive approach, reducing concerns about privacy breaches while still ensuring users gain insights promptly and efficiently.
Avondale, CO residents benefit from our competitive pricing models and quick turnaround times for hair follicle tests. We strive to offer valuable services by providing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or speed.
Our pricing strategy ensures accessibility for companies of all sizes, enhancing peace of mind and value while ensuring swift delivery of reliable test results, fostering client trust and satisfaction.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them a top choice in Avondale, CO. These tests stand out due to their high accuracy in detecting substance use. By targeting drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft, hair tests yield reliable results that can identify a variety of substances.
The accuracy of hair follicle testing ensures a trustworthiness that's paramount for both legal and employment screenings. Their ability to produce fast and accurate results gives both individuals and organizations considerable confidence in the process.
Implementing hair follicle drug tests fosters an environment of compliance and peace of mind in Avondale, CO. These tests help uphold strict drug-free workplace policies, diminishing legal exposures and promoting a safe workplace.
Employers benefit from the assurance that hair testing brings in maintaining a controlled, professional environment, ensuring that all employees adhere to the necessary legal standards and workplace expectations.
