Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as a robust mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair preserves a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hairs (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the hair using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample’s initial entry into a laboratory system. It involves verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be permissible in legal situations. Any samples presumably positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any screening positive result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive 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: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis concerns the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are particularly evident in Niwot, CO. While urine tests are common, hair tests provide superior detection with higher accuracy and reliability. Their extended detection window and resistance to cheating make them a stronger choice for employers concerned with substance use policies.
One of the significant benefits of hair follicle testing in Niwot, CO, is its extended detection window. This method can track drug usage for up to 90 days, offering employers a thorough overview of an individual's substance use history. This expansive timeframe gives a more complete picture than testing alternatives.
Hair follicle drug testing in Niwot, CO, offers a tamper-resistant method that minimizes risks of adulteration, ensuring dependable outcomes. The nature of hair tests makes it difficult for results to be compromised, providing trustworthy data that stakeholders can rely on with confidence.
Our convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Niwot, CO, make accessing hair drug testing services easier than ever. With our streamlined network, getting tested is quick, hassle-free, and straightforward, providing universal coverage and accessibility for our clients.
Experience a simple and confidential process in Niwot, CO for ordering, conducting, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests. This ensures privacy and ease, addressing any concerns about procedural complexity or confidentiality in drug testing.
Benefit from our affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times in Niwot, CO. We offer competitive rates and timely results, delivering great value for businesses of every size, ensuring you get cost-effective and prompt drug testing solutions.
In Niwot, CO, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. This method is known for its precision in detecting substances, ensuring that results are not only swift but also dependable. The process of hair testing is designed to deliver high accuracy, catching even subtle traces of drugs that might be missed by other testing forms.
For employers in Niwot, CO, hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, businesses reduce legal liabilities and enhance safety. Utilizing hair tests ensures that companies stay compliant while creating a secure working environment.