Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a timeline of substance use, trapping biomarkers in the hair's growing fibers. When sampled from near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of about three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, with low risk of tampering, and specimens are easy to transport.
For optimal screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a number 2 pencil) provides 100mg of hair. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When referencing head hair, scalp hair is implied. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial sample processing within a laboratory’s system. This process ensures that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not already provided by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a confirmatory test.
In cases where a sample indicates a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of conducting hair drug screening.
Positive results in Screening are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle tests," this analysis actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair tests to the age-old urine assessments, Cardiff, CO, professionals find superiority in the former. Hair testing uncovers drug usage with greater precision and remains unaffected by short-term detox methods. This method stands as the beacon of reliability in substance detection.
Hair follicle tests shine with their prolonged detection window, encapsulating drug use traces up to 90 days in Cardiff, CO. This lengthy timeframe affords employers a broader insight, helping uncover a more detailed historical use than standard tests.
Reducing tampering risks is a notable upside of hair follicle testing in Cardiff, CO. Sample manipulation remains a rarity, promising unbiased and definitive results, thus fostering trust in the detection process for all stakeholders.
Our extensive network of testing centers, inclusive of Cardiff, CO, facilitates easy and straightforward access nationwide. Clients can benefit from convenient, hassle-free testing experiences, underscoring our pledge to accessibility and choice.
In Cardiff, CO, simplicity meets confidentiality in our drug testing process. From ordering to receiving results, users enjoy a straightforward and private journey, addressing any reservations related to ease of access and privacy.
Competitive pricing coupled with quick response times position Cardiff, CO's hair follicle testing services as a top-tier choice. Companies appreciate the remarkable value, with both expenditure and time constraints effectively managed.
The rapid and accurate outcomes delivered by hair follicle drug testing in Cardiff, CO, stand unmatched. These tests are meticulous, delivering dependable results that accurately reflect substance consumption. Test outcomes here ensure timely feedback, allowing for swift action.
In Cardiff, CO, adherence to workplace drug policies becomes seamless with hair follicle testing. These methods mitigate potential legal entanglements and bolster work environment safety, underpinning employers' continuous efforts towards compliance.
