Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Calhoun, LA

What it is, How it works

Acknowledged as an effective method, hair testing is highly effective for uncovering substance and alcohol intake. Hair retains a prolonged history of substance consumption by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of its strands as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use data from up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A lock of hair measuring 1.5 inches, featuring around 200 strands (approximately the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg—a prime sample amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplemental tests, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's wise to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. By head hair, we specifically denote scalp hair; body hair refers to any other types like facial or axillary.

Process Overview

The drug testing process within a laboratory encompasses four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning signifies the preliminary handling of a sample into the laboratory’s database. This involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is initiated to swiftly detect drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage for the majority, confirming a positive screen is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positivity during Screening require additional confirmation.

For samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparing Extraction. Here, drug extraction from hair occurs at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair testing more complex.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples flagged for presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation if required. From Accessioning through to Confirmation, the entire laboratory procedure complies with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments track drug use over 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a briefer detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug assessment is quite challenging, which enhances result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: Provides a recurring pattern of substance usage over time, instead of merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Detection of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in findings: Factors like hair pigmentation and personal hair growth fluctuations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Calhoun, LA remarkably surpasses traditional urine tests in detecting substance use. Offering superior accuracy, it spans a broader detection period, making it extremely hard for individuals to evade detection. The robustness of hair testing ensures reliable outcomes, critical for environments where maintaining stringent drug policies is essential for safety and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Calhoun, LA benefit from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This method allows organizations to gain insights into consistent substance use patterns, offering a long-term view of an individual's habits. By leveraging this comprehensive data, companies can make informed decisions when evaluating potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Calhoun, LA, hair follicle testing is celebrated for its tamper-resistant attributes. The collection process is monitored, significantly lowering the risk of sample adulteration. This method provides stakeholders with unquestionable results, thus maintaining integrity and trust in testing protocols while minimizing fraudulent activity in substance use checks.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience with its nationwide testing centers, including those in Calhoun, LA. Our facilities provide quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing, giving individuals and organizations the assurance of timely and efficient service, regardless of geographical challenges.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Calhoun, LA, the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes client privacy, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish, with simplicity at the core – addressing privacy and usage concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle tests in Calhoun, LA, alongside rapid result turnaround times. Businesses of all sizes will find great value in our services, assured by our commitment to affordability and efficiency. This approach delivers peace of mind through cost-effective and successful substance monitoring solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Calhoun, LA, the speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched accuracy in determining substance use. These tests provide fast results, reducing waiting times and allowing immediate decision-making. Users benefit from high-reliability metrics and swift processing, aiding organizations in maintaining a drug-free environment efficiently and effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For businesses in Calhoun, LA, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By choosing this reliable method, companies minimize legal liabilities and foster a secure working environment. This peace of mind is crucial for organizations focused on safety, compliance, and the well-being of their workforce.

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