Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assays have established themselves as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. As hair strands grow, they embed biomarkers within their fibers, offering a long-term record of substance use. When gathered close to the head, hair can reveal alcohol and drug usage within a roughly 90-day period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches and containing approximately 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, considered the perfect amount for both screening and analysis. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair sample is recommended. If head hair isn't available, body hair of equal volume can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (like facial and armpit hair).
Procedure Synopsis
The drug testing process in a lab involves four pivotal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Validation.
Accessioning is the first step, where a sample is introduced into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample is correctly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information not available through an electronic custody chain.
Screening offers an initial, rapid assessment for potential drug presence. Even though Screening offers a cost-effective method to rule out drug usage for many samples, any positive results must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples showing potential positive results during Screening need further validation.
For samples identified as potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations than other techniques like urine or oral fluid tests, making hair drug testing the most complex to conduct.
Validation of any positive Screening outcomes uses methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before validation, all samples presumed positive undergo washing as necessary. Each step, from Accessioning to Validation, is thoroughly reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Even though termed "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Charenton, LA: Hair testing has emerged as a superior method compared to traditional urine tests due to its increased precision and reliability. Hair tests passively capture a longer history of drug use, providing more comprehensive insights.
For employers and legal entities, the assurance of detecting drug use over an extended period makes hair follicle tests a preferred choice.
Extended Detection Window in Charenton, LA: Hair follicle testing offers a unique advantage of detecting drug use over a longer period—up to 90 days. This extended window equips employers in Charenton with a thorough understanding of a candidate or employee’s drug use history, allowing for more informed decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Charenton, LA: The hair follicle drug test significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. In Charenton, this method delivers reliable and unambiguous results, providing employers and institutions confidence in the data gathered.
Such prevention of tampering protects the integrity of the testing process, ensuring compliance with high standards.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Charenton, LA: Our extensive network of testing centers spreads across the nation, inclusive of Charenton. Such widespread availability makes accessing our services straightforward, ensuring a quick and hassle-free experience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Charenton, LA: The process for ordering, undergoing, and receiving results from our hair follicle tests is both simple and discreet. Privacy is paramount, and we ensure a seamless and confidential process for all clients in Charenton, addressing concerns effectively.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Charenton, LA: Our hair follicle drug testing services offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. This gives businesses in Charenton an excellent return on investment, alongside timely, dependable results that meet their needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Charenton, LA: The hair follicle drug tests we offer provide swift and precise outcomes. They stand out for their high accuracy levels in identifying substances, offering immediate insights into an individual’s drug use pattern.
These tests afford businesses in Charenton the assurance of quick turnaround times, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Charenton, LA: Implementing hair follicle testing aids businesses in ensuring adherence to strict drug-free workplace policies. This not only reduces potential legal complications but also bolsters safety within the workplace, offering employers the peace of mind they seek.
