Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kilbourne, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When sampled adjacent to the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection duration for alcohol and various drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, manipulation is relatively challenging, and the shipping is uncomplicated.

A specimen of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hairs (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp, yields about 100mg of hair, the optimum amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG enhancements and/or tests with panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be utilized. In the context of head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This phase ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening features an initial rapid evaluation for unlawful substances. While Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug consumption in the bulk of samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be viable in legal proceedings. Any samples tentatively identified as positive during Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample return a tentative positive result in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other procedures (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most complex approach to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation, as deemed necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection timeline.
• Challenges in falsification: It is highly challenging to alter a hair drug test, ensuring greater accuracy in outcomes.
• Historical data provision: The test can outline a pattern of drug consumption over a certain period, not simply recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier relative to other drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Individual factors such as hair color and growth rate might influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite frequently being labeled as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis focuses on the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why do hair follicle tests outshine urine tests in Kilbourne, LA? The answer lies in their superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests identify recent drug use, hair testing provides a comprehensive history, making it a more comprehensive method for evaluating substance use.

Extended Detection Window

In Kilbourne, LA, a significant advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. This method observes drug use over a period of up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a complete understanding of an individual's substance history, an edge that traditional testing lacks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

When it comes to authenticity, hair follicle testing is the gold standard in Kilbourne, LA. Its tamper-resistant nature dramatically reduces adulteration risks, guaranteeing results that are undisputed and dependable for all involved parties.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations throughout Kilbourne, LA, and beyond, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that access to drug testing services is hassle-free. The broad network of nationwide and local centers provides easy and quick testing opportunities for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and conducting a hair follicle test in Kilbourne, LA is both simple and confidential. The streamlined process respects privacy, allowing individuals and employers alike to manage testing and receive results without complications or concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Kilbourne, LA, our affordable pricing and fast turnaround make hair follicle testing accessible for organizations of all sizes. This cost-effective offering pairs competitive pricing with speedy service, ensuring excellent value and client satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Kilbourne, LA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its accuracy and speed. Unlike traditional methods, these tests deliver fast results, ensuring high precision in substance detection. Their ability to consistently produce reliable outcomes makes them a superior choice for professionals seeking efficiency.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Kilbourne, LA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This proactive approach minimizes legal exposure while enhancing workplace safety, offering peace of mind in knowing their policies are robustly upheld.

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