Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edgard, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a chronic record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they develop. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to around 90 days for detecting alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the dimensions of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is lacking, an equivalent volume of body hair is an acceptable substitute. When discussing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the introductory processing phase of a sample into a lab's system. This step involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary inspection for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to rule out drug use on most samples, a positive outcome must be verified for it to hold up in court. Samples that appear positive during Screening require additional confirmation.

When a sample tests preliminarily positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and set aside for Extraction. This process involves isolating drugs from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging technique to implement.

Confirmation of any positive screen involves using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo cleansing before confirmation if necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation gets reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can verify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Reveals historical usage: Exhibits a timeline of drug use over a period, rather than merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Costs: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth might influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the testing focuses on the hair strand and not on the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Edgard, LA, is superior to urine testing. It boasts enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Urine tests, while prevalent, cannot match the long detection window offered by hair tests. Employers can trust hair testing to provide a dependable indication of an individual’s substance use history, ensuring better-informed decisions regarding hiring and employment continuity.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Edgard, LA, drug use detection extends up to an impressive 90 days. This elongated window means employers gain a clearer insight into substance usage over time. Instead of worrying about only recent consumption, this method comprehensively reviews an applicant or employee’s history, aiding in the assessment of their long-term reliability and behavioral patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Edgard, LA offers a testing method that significantly curtails the likelihood of sample tampering. Through its stringent collection process, it offers reliable results that are difficult to question. Unlike other methods, the structure of hair samples resists adulteration, supporting an accurate and credible conclusion beyond the scope of manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in Edgard, LA, with our testing centers spread across the nation. This ensures testing services are quick and easy, facilitating a hassle-free access experience. No matter where you are, our comprehensive network of facilities guarantees accessible testing, ensuring that you are never too far from the support needed for testing processes, making compliance a breeze.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Edgard, LA is both simple and confidential. Ordering tests, taking samples, and receiving results is streamlined to address privacy and ease of use concerns. This uncomplicated yet effective process ensures confidentiality is paramount, providing individuals and businesses with the assurance of private and straightforward testing experiences.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our Edgard, LA services offer affordable pricing combined with fast turnaround times. Businesses, regardless of size, appreciate the value and peace of mind associated with our competitive pricing and efficient operations. Rapid processing ensures timely results, reinforcing the economic feasibility of maintaining stringent drug-free workplace initiatives.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Edgard, LA, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their unparalleled precision and speed. High accuracy is a hallmark, as these tests can detect a range of substances with exceptional reliability. Their efficiency ensures that individuals and businesses receive results rapidly, eliminating prolonged anxiety about test outcomes and enabling quicker decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Edgard, LA, hair follicle testing provides compliance solutions that ensure alignment with workplace drug-free policies. Using this method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, giving employers peace of mind. Reliable testing results from hair follicle assessments add credibility and assurance to system-wide compliance practices, solidifying trust among teams and stakeholders.

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