Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Jara, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a long-term timeline of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the hair fibers as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's recommended to measure the specimen's weight on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is divided into four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab’s system. This stage verifies that the specimen was securely sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial swift evaluation for substance abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a further confirmation step.

In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), rendering hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to implement.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as appropriate. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation in conjunction with the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which detect for a shorter period.
• Challenging to compromise: Cheating a hair drug test is significantly difficult, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Historical insight: Allows the detection of a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug evaluations generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may impact drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle itself.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, the benefits are clear in La Jara, CO. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it a preferred choice for many. While urine tests are common, their shorter detection windows make hair tests more favorable for long-term substance detection.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in La Jara, CO, provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance history. Offering a broader view, hair tests are invaluable for assessing long-term drug usage trends.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In La Jara, CO, hair follicle testing reduces the risk of sample adulteration significantly. With a method that's nearly impossible to cheat, it provides reliable and unquestionable results that employers and legal professionals can trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In La Jara, CO, we offer convenient testing through numerous nationwide centers. With accessible locations, individuals can quickly and easily access testing services, minimizing hassle and ensuring a straightforward process for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

In La Jara, CO, the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential. Our focus on privacy and ease of use addresses any concerns, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In La Jara, CO, our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times provide excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from our affordable approach, ensuring that cost-effective and promptly delivered results are consistently achieved.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

La Jara, CO, stands out with its fast and reliable hair follicle drug tests. These tests are known for their high level of precision when it comes to detecting substance use. Within a short time frame, accurate results can be achieved, offering superior reliability compared to tests with lengthier processing periods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing within La Jara, CO, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. It reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, giving employers peace of mind by maintaining a secure and health-focused environment.

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