In Lafitte, Louisiana, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services. For those needing drug or alcohol testing via hair samples, our centers, available nationwide, offer expert testing options. Typically, hair samples should be 1.5 to 2 inches long, from either the head or body. These tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be tailored for other specific needs.
Recently, hair follicle drug testing has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional methods. Employers, legal systems, and substance abuse counselors often prefer this method over urine testing. Hair tests are a reliable choice for organizations with strict drug policies, courts, and probation systems. They are favored for their extensive detection window of up to 90 days, strict collection process, and resistance to tampering, though urine tests remain optimal for detecting recent usage within five days.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
The use of hair in testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair traps biomarkers within its growing fibers, offering a historical view of substance use. When hair is collected near the scalp, it provides a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil), can yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. If head hair is not available, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and underarm hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning commences with the sample's initial system processing. This stage involves ensuring the sample's integrity during shipment, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any unrecorded data, assuming an electronic custody chain system isn't used.
Screening involves a preliminary drug abuse check. Although cost-effective, positive results from Screening necessitate further confirmation for legal validity. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
Should a Screening result be presumptively positive, further hair is taken from the sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair in concentrations far lower than other methods like urine or oral fluid, justifying hair drug screening's complexity.
Confirming positive results employs techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. Each laboratory step, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing is more advantageous than urine tests in Lafitte, LA, due to its superior detection capabilities. Compared to urine tests, hair testing provides extended detection windows and increased reliability.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Lafitte, LA, is its extended detection window which can identify substance use for up to 90 days.
Hair follicle tests in Lafitte, LA, are a preferred method due to their resistant nature against tampering, ensuring the reliability of results at all times.
Our vast network of testing centers in Lafitte, LA, and beyond ensures convenience through Nationwide availability.
In Lafitte, LA, Accredited Drug Testing provides a simple and confidential testing process to safeguard privacy concerns.
We emphasize affordable pricing and swift turnaround times in Lafitte, LA, with competitive rates across all our testing services.
In Lafitte, LA, hair follicle drug tests promise fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision makes them a top choice for detecting substance abuse.
For employers in Lafitte, LA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free policies, fostering a safer and more lawful workplace environment.