Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
In the realm of drug and alcohol detection, hair testing is widely considered a potent method. Hair acts as a repository of long-term alcohol and drug evidence by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When extracted near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of nearly 3 months for substances. The collection of hair is easy, difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
To obtain an optimal sample for screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch sample comprising around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp is necessary to achieve 100mg of hair. For tests involving EtG add-ons or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. The use of a jeweler’s scale is advised to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair imply only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test includes four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the preliminary steps of incorporating the sample into the laboratory’s framework. This involves ensuring the sample’s seal and shipping integrity, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional required data entry outside an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for drug presence. While cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive screen warrants confirmation for court validity. Samples with a presumptive positive outcome during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
For samples with a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, the initial sample is used further for the Extraction process. This involves drug extraction from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other testing methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most challenging methodology available.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques confirm any positive Screening outcomes. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire laboratory cycle, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited per ISO / IEC 17025 norms.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often misnamed as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Lazear, CO, hair follicle testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests. Notably, it allows for a longer detection window and is more resistant to tampering, providing more accurate and trustworthy results. The hair test's accuracy is invaluable for organizations committed to maintaining a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing in Lazear, CO, boasts an extended detection window, offering insights into drug use over the past 90 days. This provides a thorough overview of an individual's substance history, making it an excellent tool for employers seeking a complete understanding of an applicant or employee's past behavior.
By significantly reducing the likelihood of adulteration, hair follicle tests offer a solid, tamper-proof alternative in Lazear, CO. This ensures that the results you receive are both dependable and accurate, safeguarding against potential manipulation common in other testing methods.
Our nationwide network of test centers, including those in Lazear, CO, ensures easy access to testing services. This broad availability guarantees that scheduling a test is straightforward, offering convenience regardless of your location.
In Lazear, CO, the drug testing process is both straightforward and private. From ordering to testing and result retrieval, confidentiality is maintained to ensure user comfort. This seamless process addresses any privacy concerns while remaining simple and efficient.
Competitive pricing and swift service make our hair follicle tests in Lazear, CO, an appealing choice for enterprises of varying sizes. The balance of affordability and rapid results delivers great value, facilitating peace of mind for employers requiring timely and reliable data.
The hair follicle test stands out for its precision in detecting substance use. In Lazear, CO, this method's accuracy is unmatched, ensuring that employers and authorities receive trustworthy results quickly. This type of test provides a reliable assessment, making it highly effective for identifying drug use.
Employers in Lazear, CO, can find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, which guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace standards. By reducing potential legal liabilities and enhancing the overall safety of the workplace, it's an investment in a more secure working environment.
