Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a formidable resource for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch portion of about 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels over 10, 150mg of the sample is recommended. We advise measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory's system. This involves ensuring that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary quick evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples that are presumed positive during Screening require subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging procedure to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Garcia, CO. Hair follicle testing offers numerous benefits over traditional urine tests. One significant advantage is its longer detection period, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. It provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance habits, which is a vital factor for many employers.
The reliability of hair follicle testing surpasses that of standard urine tests. While urine tests provide immediate drug use analysis, they miss long-term substance patterns that hair testing captures. This makes hair testing superior for employers seeking an in-depth assessment of their staff’s drug use.
Extended Detection Window in Garcia, CO. The primary advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeframe gives employers crucial insights into an individual's substance use history, far beyond the scope of typical urine tests.
With hair follicle testing, employers in Garcia, CO can view an applicant’s or employee’s substance use over several months. This extended view aids in informed decision-making, ensuring the individual meets workplace standards and adheres to drug-free policies.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Garcia, CO. Hair follicle tests offer a robust defense against sample tampering. By design, these tests are resistant to adulteration, providing reliable and untainted results that stakeholders can trust.
This method considerably reduces the risk of fraudulent activity, ensuring that the results are a true reflection of the individual's drug use. The integrity of the process is paramount for employers and legal entities committed to accurate and fair drug testing practices.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Garcia, CO. Our wide network of testing centers across the country ensures that Garcia, CO residents have swift access to drug testing services. This convenience translates into easy scheduling and reduces downtime, making the testing process seamless.
The local availability of our services means that individuals and employers can access our facilities without unnecessary travel. This enhances the efficiency and appeal of hair follicle drug testing, accommodating busy schedules with our user-friendly approach.
Simple, Confidential Process in Garcia, CO. Our streamlined process simplifies how individuals and companies engage with drug testing. From ordering to test-taking and receiving results, we emphasize a hassle-free experience.
Privacy is a top priority, ensuring that all stages of testing maintain confidentiality. Our secure procedures ensure that sensitive information is protected, reassuring clients about the safety and discretion of their data.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Garcia, CO. Our competitive pricing strategy ensures that businesses of all sizes can access superior hair follicle drug testing without exceeding their budgets. Quick turnaround times complement our cost-effectiveness, offering great value to clients.
Our services provide businesses with cost-efficient solutions to drug testing. By maintaining affordability, we support employers in implementing thorough testing policies without financial strain while delivering rapid and precise results.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Garcia, CO. Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering prompt and precise results. Compared to traditional methods, they provide a higher level of accuracy by detecting substance use with remarkable clarity. This makes them an indispensable tool for employers and legal entities who demand reliability in substance detection.
Employers in Garcia, CO benefit from the speed at which hair follicle tests offer results. With a systematic approach, these tests capture accurate data on individual drug use, ensuring a clear analysis in a shorter time frame. This precision is invaluable, providing peace of mind and confidence in the data collected.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Garcia, CO. Adopting hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method aligns with regulatory standards, significantly mitigating legal risks.
Employers gain peace of mind knowing that their testing procedures contribute to a safer and more secure work environment. By ensuring that employees adhere to substance regulations, companies can enhance productivity and minimize workplace incidents linked to drug use.
