Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strands capture long-term data by embedding biomarkers within the growing strands. When acquired from near the scalp, the hair can indicate drug and alcohol presence for up to three months. The hair collection process is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample consisting of 200 strands of hair measuring 1.5 inches (equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) near the scalp ensures a 100mg weight, which is optimal for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. In cases of non-availability of head hair, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. This context of head hair refers strictly to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses facial, axillary, and other types.
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test processing includes four central phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially integrated into the laboratory system. This step involves the validation of proper sealing and shipping, allocation of a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfillment of any manual data not captured by an electronic custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary check for drug presence. It is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug presence in most samples, though a positive screen requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Samples appearing positive in Screening undergo further processing in Extraction by obtaining additional hair from the original sample. This phase extracts drugs at lower concentrations than other methods such as urine or saliva tests, highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.
For any positive results from screening, Confirmation is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accredited by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mistakenly called "hair follicle tests", this procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.
Hair follicle tests consistently outperform urine tests in terms of reliability and precision. In Twin Lakes, CO, these tests are the preferred choice due to their enhanced accuracy over traditional urine tests, offering certainty and peace of mind.
One of the key benefits is the ability of hair testing to uncover long-term drug use history, unlike urine tests which detect recent use. This leads to better-informed decisions for employers and agencies relying on thorough background checks.
In Twin Lakes, CO, hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window. By covering up to 90 days of substance use history, it provides employers a complete and chronological perspective on an individual's substance habits.
This extensive window allows employers to assess patterns of use that urine tests might miss. With such detailed insight, companies can make more informed employment and disciplinary decisions.
Hair follicle tests are praised in Twin Lakes, CO, for their tamper-resistant nature. By virtually eliminating the risk of sample tampering, they ensure credibility and eliminate doubts about the authenticity of test results.
The integrity of hair testing stems from its robust collection methods and rigorous processing. This guarantees that the results are accurate and trustworthy, giving organizations the reliability they need for their drug testing requirements.
The convenience of extensive testing sites across the nation, including Twin Lakes, CO, ensures easy and hassle-free access to our services. These locations are strategically placed, minimizing disruptions to your schedule.
Whether you're seeking testing locally or nationwide, our locations are equipped with the latest facilities to offer comprehensive hair follicle tests. This widespread availability underscores our commitment to accessibility and client convenience.
Hair follicle testing in Twin Lakes, CO, offers a straightforward and confidential process. From ordering tests to receiving results, our system is designed with privacy and ease in mind, addressing any concerns about confidentiality.
The simplicity of our procedures means that individuals and organizations alike benefit from a seamless experience. Such an approach minimizes stress and expedites the entire testing process, ensuring efficiency and discretion.
In Twin Lakes, CO, our hair follicle drug testing services offer competitive pricing and rapid processing times. This makes us an economical choice for businesses of varying sizes looking for accurate testing without budget concerns.
Affordable pricing coupled with quick turnaround times ensures that you receive excellent value. This combination empowers businesses to maintain safety standards while respecting financial constraints.
Hair follicle drug tests in Twin Lakes, CO, deliver fast, precise results, thanks to their advanced technology. They excel in identifying recent and past substance use with a remarkable accuracy that ensures reliable reporting.
Compared to other methods, the speed of result generation in hair testing stands out. With its high efficiency, it swiftly informs decision-making processes, allowing individuals and organizations to act quickly based on conclusive data.
For employers in Twin Lakes, CO, utilizing hair follicle tests aligns with drug-free workplace policies. By adopting these tests, companies enhance safety, reduce legal exposure, and ensure regulatory compliance.
The peace of mind that comes from using hair follicle testing is invaluable. Knowing that you're adhering to the best practices in drug testing helps maintain workplace integrity and fortifies the company's standing against potential liabilities.