Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy record of substances by confining biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drug use. It is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the recommended amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. A jeweler's scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair can't be used, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we imply scalp hair only; body hair comprises all other types (face, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within the lab's system. This step ensures that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any pending data entries absent in an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening is a preliminary verification for substances. While it offers an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result from Screening requires further confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples with a suspect positive in Screening demand an additional verification process.
If the Screening phase suggests a positive result, additional hair is used from the initial collection and made ready for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower levels than other testing methods (like urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis one of the most challenging methods.
Any positive result from Screening undergoes Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although sometimes termed "hair follicle tests", the method evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Bowie, CO offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. While urine tests provide a snapshot of recent drug usage, hair testing unveils a broader detection window. The accuracy of hair tests is superior, capturing a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history and significantly reducing false negatives, thereby reinforcing reliability.
Employers in Bowie, CO benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection period, which spans up to 90 days. This elongated window offers a thorough overview of an applicant or employee's substance use, aiding in more informed decision-making. The detection capability serves as a robust tool for understanding long-term substance habits.
A significant benefit of hair follicle testing in Bowie, CO is its resistance to tampering. With this method, the risks associated with sample adulteration are drastically minimized. The collection and analysis processes ensure that the results remain trustworthy and hard to dispute, providing confidence and security to employers and judges alike.
Accredited Drug Testing offers a network of nationwide testing centers, including convenient locations in Bowie, CO. This widespread availability ensures easy and hassle-free access to testing services, accommodating immediate needs and reducing waiting times for individuals and companies alike. The seamless process is a point of convenience and efficiency.
In Bowie, CO, our simple and confidential testing process prioritizes user privacy. Ordering, partaking, and obtaining test results is straightforward and respects confidentiality. These measures ensure that both personal privacy and ease of use are maintained, addressing any concerns while delivering accurate results efficiently.
Bowie, CO businesses can benefit from our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. The advantage of combining affordability with prompt results provides excellent value and reassurance for organizations of all sizes. Our pricing model and efficiency in delivering results ensure that companies can confidently manage drug testing policies.
In Bowie, CO, hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering swift and precise outcomes. The accuracy of these tests surpasses conventional methods, ensuring reliable substance detection tailored to various substances. The testing technique, which meticulously analyzes hair samples, guarantees swift processing without compromising on the precision expected by employers and individuals.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Bowie, CO ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enhancing peace of mind for employers. The method supports legal adherence and minimizes the risk of facing potential liabilities. Additionally, maintaining a safe and productive work environment is facilitated by this reliable and consistent testing solution.
