Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as a formidable method for detecting the presence of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When samples are collected near the scalp, they can offer a look back period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing including both screening and confirmation. For EtG enhancements and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a similar weight of body hair can be taken. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage of integrating a sample into a lab’s system, involving confirmation that the sample is well-sealed and correctly shipped, assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any additional data input absent in an electronic chain of custody record.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to negate drug presence in most samples, any positive results need secondary validation to hold up in legal scenarios. Any samples registering as presumptively positive in Screening require further verification.
When a sample comes through as possibly positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and goes through Extraction. This phase entails drug extraction from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to methods such as urine or oral fluid, underscoring why hair drug testing is amongst the most complex techniques to execute.
Confirming any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples that are presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning through Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While sometimes termed as "hair follicle tests," the test assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Stonewall Gap, CO, choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests offers numerous benefits. Hair testing excels in providing reliable and superior detection accuracy, critical for maintaining a secure and drug-free environment. Unlike the more conventional urine tests, hair tests cover a wider detection window, enhancing their reliability.
In Stonewall Gap, CO, hair follicle testing is favored due to its extended detection window that spans up to 90 days. Employers get a comprehensive view of a person's substance use history, which is invaluable for pre-employment screening or ongoing employee assessments. This long window is unmatched when compared to traditional methods.
Hair follicle testing in Stonewall Gap, CO is highly regarded for its tamper-resistant nature. This type of testing makes it significantly difficult to alter or contaminate samples, ensuring authenticity and reliability of results. Such assurance is critical for various sectors aiming to uphold stringent testing standards.
In Stonewall Gap, CO, residents benefit from convenient nationwide testing locations. Our network ensures that accessing hair follicle drug testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free. No matter where you are, testing centers are within reach and ready to assist with your needs.
Our services in Stonewall Gap, CO are designed for a simple and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize your privacy and ease of use. This seamless process addresses concerns efficiently, ensuring a user-friendly and secure experience throughout.
Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in Stonewall Gap, CO provide exceptional value for all businesses. Cost-effective strategies and fast results maintain peace of mind, making them an attractive choice for small to large enterprises alike.
One of the key selling points for hair follicle drug testing in Stonewall Gap, CO is its remarkable precision. Known for its fast turnarounds, this testing method not only provides results quickly but also maintains a high level of accuracy. The ability to reliably identify substance usage makes it a preferred choice for many stakeholders.
Employers in Stonewall Gap, CO turn to hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only strengthens legal defenses but also fosters a safer working environment by reducing substance misuse. The peace of mind it provides is invaluable to organizational integrity.
