Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting substance use. The hair captures and holds onto biomarkers indicative of drug use over an extended period by integrating them into the growing hair fibers. Obtaining hair samples close to the scalp can reveal evidence of alcohol or drug consumption for up to three months. Hair sampling is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and can be easily transported.
A section measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands near the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferable. It's advisable to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent amount of hair from other body areas may be used. In the context of head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses other types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab’s workflow, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, the allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and wrapping up any outstanding data input not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary step that checks for drug residues economically. Although Screening helps exclude drug consumption in the bulk of samples, a positive result must be verified for legal purposes, necessitating a secondary confirmation.
A presumptively positive result in Screening requires additional hair extraction from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, the concentration of drugs retrieved from hair is notably less than that from other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of a positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Before confirmation, samples flagged as presumptively positive undergo washing as needed. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to standards by both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and the ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Norwood, LA, offers numerous advantages. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, allowing a clearer insight into substance use. Unlike urine testing, hair testing is effective over a more extended period, enhancing reliability for consistent results.
Benefits of Hair Testing:
Hair follicle testing stands out due to its extended detection window in Norwood, LA. It effectively identifies drug use over a 90-day period, offering a thorough view of an individual's substance history. This prolonged window allows employers to assess long-term patterns rather than short-term use.
The comprehensive detection capability makes hair testing an optimal choice for understanding an applicant or employee's substance use over time. This clarity supports employers in making informed hiring and retention decisions.
In Norwood, LA, hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the potential for tampering, providing assured reliability in drug testing. Unlike other methods, hair samples are less susceptible to adulteration, ensuring the authenticity and trustworthiness of results.
By choosing hair tests, organizations can be confident that they are receiving accurate and unmanipulated results, safeguarding against sample tampering and ensuring trustworthy outcomes.
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including local options in Norwood, LA, ensures convenient and efficient access to testing services. The widespread availability of centers makes it easy for individuals and employers to access timely testing with minimal hassle.
This accessibility supports quick and streamlined testing processes, enhancing the overall experience for all parties involved in drug testing procedures.
The straightforward and confidential process of hair follicle testing in Norwood, LA, provides ease of mind for users. From ordering to testing and receiving results, every step respects user privacy and ensures a discreet experience.
Concerns about privacy and simplicity are effectively addressed, making the process of hair drug testing both user-friendly and non-intrusive, respecting the privacy of all participants.
Our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Norwood, LA, coupled with quick turnaround times, ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes. The affordability of these tests provides cost-effective solutions without sacrificing reliability or speed.
These benefits combine to offer peace of mind to organizations, supporting their drug-testing processes with reliable results within budget-friendly frameworks.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Norwood, LA, make them a superior option for detecting substance use. With their ability to produce fast, accurate, and reliable results, these tests ensure a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance intake, making them an ideal choice for both employers and individuals seeking trustworthy outcomes.
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their high accuracy levels in detecting various substances. The method minimizes errors and delivers reliable results promptly. For those in need of definitive evidence of substance abuse, hair testing is an unmatched option offering enhanced reliability.
For employers in Norwood, LA, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind. This method enhances safety and mitigates legal risks, aligning with compliance objectives to establish a drug-free work environment.
The rigorous accuracy and extensive detection window of hair tests provide employers with confidence in maintaining policy compliance and upholding workplace safety standards.
