Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use of drugs and alcohol. Hair can document a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use for up to 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and those over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result is structured into four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a rapid preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be considered valid in legal contexts. Any samples that suggest positive results in Screening do require additional confirmation.
Should a sample tentatively test positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other testing methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening particularly challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, excluding the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Columbia, LA finds hair follicle testing paramount over urine testing for drug detection due to its extended detection range. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests can detect usage over a 90-day period, offering a comprehensive view of substance history.
Compared to urine tests, the consistency and accuracy of hair follicle tests provide greater reliability, making them superior in safeguarding workplace safety and compliance with policy standards.
In Columbia, LA, hair follicle drug testing offers a critical advantage with its extended detection window. This method can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive overview.
Employers in Columbia benefit from the 90-day detection period, which presents an accurate substance use history. Hair tests stand out by offering long-term insights inaccessible via urine testing.
Columbia, LA employs hair follicle testing to greatly minimize tampering and adulteration risks. Unlike urine tests, hair tests cannot be easily manipulated, ensuring genuine results.
The integrity of hair follicle testing is unparalleled; for residents and businesses in Columbia, it means assurance of true and uncontaminated results in all testing scenarios.
For Columbia, LA residents, testing convenience is paramount with local and nationwide test centers. Nationwide locations ensure easy access, efficiency, and no-hassle service.
Our extensive network guarantees that individuals in Columbia can find accessible centers close by, promoting quick and convenient testing appointments without the stress of cumbersome processes.
Columbia, LA residents value the simple, confidential procedures of hair follicle testing, from ordering to receiving results. Confidentiality is our priority, ensuring private and secure handling.
Our straightforward process guarantees ease of use and privacy, addressing community concerns about convenience and data security.
Employers in Columbia, LA appreciate our affordable pricing and fast turnaround of hair follicle drug testing services. Competitive pricing structures make assurance affordable for companies of all sizes.
Our quick delivery of results allows businesses to make informed decisions swiftly, underscoring the value and efficiency of choosing hair follicle testing over other methods.
Columbia, LA accesses fast and accurate hair follicle drug testing results, ensuring precision in substance detection. Hair tests outperform traditional methods by offering rapid processing times without sacrificing accuracy.
Employers and individuals benefit from quick turnaround times in obtaining results, supporting timely decision-making. The meticulous and high-precision nature of hair tests guarantees dependable outcomes every time.
In Columbia, LA, hair follicle testing aids employers by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace programs. Utilizing this method substantially reduces legal risks and enhances safety.
Employers find reassurance in hair testing due to its efficacy in detecting long-term substance use histories, providing peace of mind and fostering a safer work environment.
