Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair encapsulates a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by securing biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to approximately 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to ship.
Acquiring a 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's size) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG tests, add-ons, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is recommended. If head hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This process includes confirming that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified for court admissibility. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are cleansed as needed before confirmation. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Gardere, LA, hair follicle testing is increasingly preferred over urine tests due to several benefits. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy and are renowned for reliability.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests offer a comprehensive view of drug use, capturing usage over a more extensive period, hence proving superior in many scenarios.
Employers and legal bodies in Gardere choose hair tests for their ability to provide unambiguous detection results, marking them as more effective than urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Gardere, LA is favored for its extended detection window, able to trace drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a broader view of substance history.
This extensive period of detection enables employers a thorough assessment of a candidate or employee’s drug history, aiding informed decision-making.
The capability of these tests to detect long-term drug usage lends them a significant advantage, making them an indispensable tool in effective substance monitoring.
Hair follicle tests in Gardere, LA are distinguished by their tamper-resistant nature, which significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring trustworthy results.
The adherence to observed collection protocols ensures that the testing process is secure, yielding results that are both reliable and unquestionable.
Given their resilient nature against tampering, hair tests provide a high level of certainty, which is paramount in scenarios demanding assured accuracy.
Our nationwide and local testing centers in Gardere, LA make drug testing convenient, providing quick and seamless access to necessary testing services.
The widespread availability of our facilities ensures that individuals and businesses can conduct testing without unnecessary delays or complications.
With so many centers available, getting tested is hassle-free and straightforward, offering a practical solution to those needing drug screening services.
The testing process in Gardere, LA is designed to be simple and confidential, from ordering a test to receiving the results, ensuring privacy is maintained throughout.
Participating in a drug test doesn’t need to be cumbersome; our approach ensures that each step is user-friendly and respects individual confidentiality.
This focus on simplicity and discretion instills confidence, ensuring participants feel secure in the process and its outcomes.
Affordable pricing and quick turnaround characterize our drug testing services in Gardere, LA, delivering significant value to companies regardless of size.
Our competitive rates ensure you get high-quality results without breaking the bank, maintaining budget-friendly options.
Fast result delivery coupled with reasonable costs means businesses can depend on our services for timely and cost-effective drug screening.
Hair follicle drug testing offers fast, precise, and reliable results in Gardere, LA. It stands out for its high level of accuracy in uncovering substance use, making it a preferred choice.
Ideal for situations demanding quick and accurate analyses, hair follicle testing promptly identifies drug usage, providing dependable outcomes that foster trust in the process.
Due to their inherent precision, these tests ensure that substance use is accurately detected, giving users confidence in the results they receive.
Hair follicle testing in Gardere, LA offers employers compliance with workplace drug-free policies, thereby easing legal burdens and elevating workplace safety.
By ensuring adherence to drug policies, hair tests foster a safer workplace atmosphere, adding a layer of security and peace of mind for employers.
Companies benefit from the assurance that their drug testing procedures align with standards, enhancing trust and reducing potential legal conflicts.