Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has evolved into an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This technique analyzes hair, which captures long-term drug and alcohol history by trapping biomarkers within its growing strands. When sourced close to the scalp, hair can identify substance use for a period up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
To achieve an optimal sample for testing and verification, a 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands, akin to a #2 pencil's thickness, should be taken closest to the scalp, amounting to 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screens exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Measuring the sample's weight on a jeweler's scale is advised. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we imply scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair encompasses all alternative hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The lab processing for a drug test result involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the sample's entry phase into a laboratory system, ensuring it has been appropriately sealed and transported, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes a preliminary, rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for determining drug abstinence in most samples, positive findings necessitate subsequent confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples yielding a tentative positive during Screening must undergo a secondary validation.
In instances where a sample tests positively in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This process retrieves drugs from hair at concentrations much smaller than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Positive Screening outcomes are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any conditional positive samples are meticulously cleaned before confirmation, as required. The entire lab process spanning Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized in alignment with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine testing in Sibley, LA, the advantages are clear. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, providing clear results that surpass the capabilities of urine tests.
Hair testing not only offers reliable outcomes but also delivers a longer detection window, ensuring a more comprehensive assessment of potential substance use scenarios.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in Sibley, LA, is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, hair testing can reveal drug usage over a period of up to 90 days.
This extended window allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, giving them a clearer picture of their potential employee's past behavior.
Hair follicle testing in Sibley, LA, significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This method produces results that are trustworthy and unlikely to be tampered with.
The reliability of hair follicle tests ensures that employers and other stakeholders receive results that they can depend on, eradicating doubts about testing authenticity.
In Sibley, LA, the availability of convenient nationwide testing locations sets us apart. Our facilities are designed to offer quick and hassle-free access to testing services, ensuring easy navigation through the testing process.
With multiple local options, individuals and businesses can seamlessly integrate drug testing into their schedules without any geographical constraints.
The process in Sibley, LA, for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, every step is crafted to address privacy concerns and ensure ease of use.
Testing in our facilities is designed to be straightforward, guaranteeing that individuals can complete their assessments without any undue complications or breaches of privacy.
Offering competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times, our services in Sibley, LA, provide businesses with excellent value. Regardless of company size, our affordable options meet the needs of all clients.
The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of our testing ensure peace of mind, allowing companies to maintain their budgets while attaining reliable results swiftly.
In Sibley, LA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are unparalleled in their precision, ensuring substance use detection with a high degree of certainty.
The speed of hair follicle testing makes it ideal for swift decision-making in employment settings, setting a benchmark for accuracy and dependability across various testing scenarios.
Employers in Sibley, LA, can find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Such tests ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing overall safety.
By implementing hair testing, companies reinforce their commitment to maintaining a safe environment, adhering to best practices in workplace management and policy adherence.