Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair reveals a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is suggested. We advise weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result generally involves four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample into a lab’s system. This process encompasses verifying the intact sealing and proper shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-effective method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen needs to be confirmed for court acceptability. Any presumptive positive samples from Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen results is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation, as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Carr, CO, hair follicle testing provides several advantages over traditional urine tests. The enhanced detection accuracy makes hair tests more reliable in tracing long-term substance use. Hair testing reveals drug history up to 90 days, while urine tests only cover short-term use, usually within a few days.
Moreover, hair follicle testing is less prone to adulteration or cheating, which is a common concern with urine tests. For employers seeking accuracy and trustworthiness, hair testing proves to be a superior choice.
Hair follicle testing in Carr, CO offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This lengthened timeframe provides employers with a detailed view of substance use history, which is particularly important in making informed hiring decisions.
With such a comprehensive detection period, hair tests offer insights into an applicant or employee's long-term drug habits, which is invaluable for positions requiring high safety and reliability standards.
In Carr, CO, hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering, ensuring results that are both reliable and indisputable. Unlike urine tests, which can be manipulated with relative ease, hair testing offers a trustworthy alternative.
The observed collection process further ensures that samples are collected fairly and correctly, eliminating the likelihood of deception. This enhances the integrity and trust in the drug testing process.
Convenience is key with our hair follicle testing services in Carr, CO. Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers allows for quick, hassle-free access to testing facilities, ensuring that companies can efficiently manage their drug screening needs.
Whether locally in Carr or across the nation, our testing centers are readily available, providing flexibility and ease for both employers and individuals seeking reliable testing solutions.
In Carr, CO, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing any privacy concerns for those involved in the testing process.
Our commitment to confidentiality ensures that all testing interactions are private and secure, providing individuals and businesses with the confidence that their privacy is protected at every step.
Offering cost-effective solutions, our hair follicle testing services in Carr, CO come at competitive prices with fast turnaround times. This ensures excellent value for companies of any size seeking efficient drug testing services.
By prioritizing affordability and speed, we provide peace of mind for businesses, allowing them to focus on their core operations while we handle their testing needs with reliability and accuracy.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests make them a top choice in Carr, CO. These tests boast high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring that results are both fast and dependable. Employers benefit greatly from the promptness, allowing timely interventions when necessary.
Additionally, hair follicle testing provides clarity and confidence in the results due to its superior detection capabilities. In a world where speed and accuracy are paramount, this method stands out for its efficiency in drug testing scenarios.
Hair follicle testing in Carr, CO provides peace of mind for employers by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By choosing this method, companies reduce legal risks and bolster workplace safety, preventing potential liabilities associated with substance abuse.
Employers are assured that their drug testing processes are thorough and in line with regulatory standards, helping maintain a healthy and productive working environment.
