Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oak Hills Place, LA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has become recognized as a valuable method for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair serves as a record of substance use over time by incorporating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected from the area nearest to the scalp, hair samples can offer approximately a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length and consisting of around 200 hairs (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amounting to 150mg is advised. It is best practice to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the hair sample. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test procedure in the laboratory encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial introduction of a sample into a lab's system. This phase involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any data entry gaps not addressed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drug misuse. While it is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples flagged as possibly positive during Screening require further verification.

When a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair drug testing as particularly challenging.

Confirming any positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine testing, which has a more limited scope.
• Hard to falsify: Altering the outcome of a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can demonstrate a usage trend over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oak Hills Place, LA

• Hair testing provides superior accuracy over traditional urine tests by identifying long-term substance use.
• While urine tests focus on recent use, hair tests cover up to 90 days, offering a broader view.
• Employers rely on hair testing for its reliability, improving workplace safety and health standards.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Oak Hills Place, LA

• Hair follicle testing encompasses a detection period of up to 90 days, in contrast to shorter urine tests.
• Employers gain a comprehensive understanding of an employee's or candidate's substance history.
• This extended window prevents frequent substance users from slipping through unnoticed.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oak Hills Place, LA

• Hair follicle testing is significantly more secure against tampering compared to urine tests.
• Observed collections and stable samples ensure reliable, unquestionable results.
• This method alleviates concerns about potential adulteration or substitution.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oak Hills Place, LA

• Our extensive network of testing centers provides easy access to testing services nationwide.
• Residents of Oak Hills Place find our local centers convenient and hassle-free.
• Quick and accessible testing services ensure minimal disruption to daily schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Oak Hills Place, LA

• The process of ordering, performing, and receiving hair test results is straightforward and discreet.
• We prioritize privacy, ensuring participants feel secure during each phase.
• Simplified processes remove barriers, making it accessible to all.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oak Hills Place, LA

• Our competitive pricing offers great value, catering to businesses of varying sizes.
• We guarantee quick turnaround times, crucial for fast-paced business environments.
• Affordability combined with swift services guarantees peace of mind for organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oak Hills Place, LA

• Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision in identifying substance use, ensuring accurate results.
• The swift process from collecting a sample to generating outcomes highlights its efficiency.
• Clients in Oak Hills Place benefit from this rapid turnaround, making informed decisions in real time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oak Hills Place, LA

• Employers who use hair follicle tests easily adhere to drug-free workplace policies.
• This method reduces legal risks, promoting a safe and productive working environment.
• Peace of mind is an invaluable asset provided by hair testing.

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