Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can reveal drug and alcohol presence over a span of roughly 3 months. The collection process is straightforward, altering the sample is challenging, and transportation is convenient.
A segment of 1.5 inches, encompassing roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil), nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair isn’t available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test laboratory process involves four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Although Screening offers an economical approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, any positive results require Confirmation to be valid for legal purposes. All samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a thorough confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted for the Extraction stage. This phase captures drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening as a procedure.
For any positive screening outcomes, Confirmation is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," these analyses focus on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Crestone, CO, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can identify substances long after consumption, providing a broader picture of an individual's drug history. This makes hair testing a superior choice for maintaining strict compliance with drug-free policies.
Employers and professionals prefer hair testing due to its ability to present clear, tamper-resistant results. Hair tests are critical in settings that demand the utmost accuracy in detecting unwanted substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Crestone, CO, excels in identifying past drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This lengthy detection window gives employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance history, aiding in informed hiring or monitoring decisions.
With a more extensive overview of drug use, businesses can ensure greater workplace safety. This method of testing is invaluable for accurately assessing candidates and employees who might be impacted by drugs.
Hair follicle tests in Crestone, CO, are known for their tamper-resistant nature, effectively minimizing sample adulteration risks. This reliability ensures that test results remain unquestionable and provide a definitive delineation of an individual's substance habits.
By significantly reducing the possibilities for cheating, hair testing ensures that results accurately reflect genuine substance use, thereby maintaining integrity in drug screenings within the workplace.
With testing centers located nationwide, including local centers in Crestone, CO, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to testing services. This wide reach guarantees a seamless and hassle-free experience for all clients, regardless of location.
The strategic positioning of these centers ensures swift service delivery, enabling individuals and businesses to maintain regular testing schedules without disruptions.
In Crestone, CO, the process of acquiring hair follicle drug test results is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing both ease of use and privacy concerns. Our step-by-step process makes ordering, undergoing testing, and receiving results straightforward and secure.
This clarity in process management ensures that clients can confidently conduct necessary testing without compromising their privacy, ensuring a stress-free experience throughout.
In Crestone, CO, the affordability and quick turnaround of hair follicle drug testing make it an appealing choice for companies of varying sizes. Our competitive pricing structures allow businesses to benefit from quality testing without financial strain.
Timely delivery of results coupled with cost-effectiveness ensures companies maintain drug-free environments efficiently, reinforcing the value of investing in reliable testing services.
In Crestone, CO, hair follicle drug tests offer precise and rapid results, showcasing their excellence in detecting substance use. The process not only ensures high accuracy but also speedy outcomes, making hair testing the preferred choice for those seeking reliable screenings.
Employers value the accuracy of hair tests, as they provide a consistent and efficient method to identify substance use compared to other techniques. This swift approach ultimately benefits organizations by ensuring they maintain a drug-free work environment.
In Crestone, CO, implementing hair follicle testing plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies, thus fostering peace of mind for employers. This method not only helps maintain safety standards but also reduces potential legal risks.
By promoting a drug-free environment, companies benefit from improved productivity and employee well-being, emphasizing the importance of reliable testing in meeting regulatory and internal standards.
