Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Over time, hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair captures a historical record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When strands are clipped near the scalp, they can reveal drug and alcohol use within an estimated 3-month period. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and samples are simple to ship.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields around 100mg—the optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, additional testing, or panels over 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. By "head hair," we specifically mean "scalp hair." All other types, such as facial or axillary hair, fall under "body hair."
Process Overview
Lab processing of drug test samples involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes integrating a sample into the lab's database, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional records not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial assessment for drug presence, a cost-effective means of ruling out drugs in most samples. Positive results in Screening necessitate confirmation before being accepted in legal contexts. Presumptively positive samples need further confirmation testing.
For samples indicated as positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial batch for Extraction, wherein drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or saliva tests), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any detected substances during Screening utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Confirmatory testing necessitates washing all presumptively positive samples. The entire process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed against the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer as analysis involves the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hillside, CO is due to its strategic advantages.
Benefits include:
Extended Detection Window in Hillside, CO makes hair follicle testing a preferred choice. Hair tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, providing a detailed view of an individual's substance history. This longer window allows employers to assess an applicant or employee's behavior over a significant span, enhancing confidence in the hiring process.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hillside, CO highlights a key advantage of hair follicle testing. The method effectively reduces risks of sample adulteration, offering reliable and accurate outcomes. Employers and authorities gain confidence in the results, as the risk of manipulation is significantly diminished, safeguarding against falsification and providing trustworthy data.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations including local ones in Hillside, CO make Accredited Drug Testing user-friendly. We provide nationwide access to our centers, ensuring quick and efficient service.
Simple, Confidential Process for hair drug tests in Hillside, CO is a key feature. The process is straightforward and private, addressing user concerns over data confidentiality.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround for hair tests in Hillside, CO offer excellent value. We maintain competitive pricing and ensure quick delivery times. Companies benefit from
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hillside, CO are achieved through hair follicle drug tests. These tests offer precision and speed in identifying drug and alcohol use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers using hair follicle testing in Hillside, CO warrant several benefits.