Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oakville, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands, hair offers a long-term record of substance use. When cut near the scalp, it can reflect alcohol and drug usage over a span of up to three months. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and are straightforward for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands, akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil, provides about 100mg—perfect for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen amount of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent measure of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' pertains solely to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially managed within the lab's system by confirming its proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any pending information not input electronically.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug abuse and serves as a cost-effective measure to largely rule out drug presence. However, a positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples indicating presumptive positives need secondary verification.

If the Screening stage yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Any positive results from the screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and involves ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests capture substance use over approximately 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter window.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historic usage data: Offers insights into substance consumption patterns over time, rather than just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other formats.
• Inconsistent results: Hair color variations and personal hair growth differences might affect metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oakville, LA

• In Oakville, LA, the advantages of hair follicle testing outshine traditional urine tests. Its heightened detection accuracy over a more considerable timeframe, typically up to three months, provides a reliable history of substance use that urine tests cannot parallel.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Oakville, LA

• Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. It provides employers in Oakville, LA, with a comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's past substance dealings, enabling well-informed hiring and monitoring processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oakville, LA

• Ensuring results are beyond dispute is a highlight of hair follicle testing. This method significantly curtails the chances of falsifying samples, granting Oakville, LA, businesses and institutions peace of mind with its foolproof nature.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oakville, LA

• With centers available nationwide and locally within Oakville, LA, our testing services offer unmatched convenience, ensuring swift and hassle-free access for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Oakville, LA

• The hair follicle testing process is both straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering a test to receiving results, the process is designed to be user-friendly and secure for those in Oakville, LA.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oakville, LA

• Our competitive pricing schemes, coupled with rapid result turnaround in Oakville, LA, offer excellent value to companies of all sizes, making hair follicle testing an accessible and economical option.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oakville, LA

• Hair follicle testing is celebrated for its precision and quick results. This method of testing allows for early detection of substance use with exceptional accuracy. It empowers employers with prompt and reliable information, enabling swift decision-making in sensitive situations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oakville, LA

• Employers seeking to align with drug-free workplace policies find hair follicle testing indispensable. By minimizing legal risks and boosting workplace safety, businesses in Oakville, LA, can maintain compliance while securing peace of mind.

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