Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Vacherie, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol usage. The hair captures biomarkers within its strands, providing a historical record of substance use over time. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. It's easy to gather, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from the scalp, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in diameter), results in 100mg of hair which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or analyses involving more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale is recommended for weighing. If scalp hair isn't an option, the equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair imply scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair refers to all other types like facial and axillary.

Process Outline

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary phase of integrating a sample into the lab's system. This phase encompasses verifying the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, confirmation is required for any positive screen to be legally acceptable. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening need further confirmation.

For samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. In this step, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis a challenging procedure.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Pre-confirmation washing is carried out as required for all presumptive positives. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to standards under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair tests are difficult to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical patterns: Provides usage trends over time, not merely recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variation: Factors such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in South Vacherie, LA

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability.

With its extended detection window and difficulty to tamper with, hair testing provides peace of mind, particularly for employers and legal institutions prioritizing stringent drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in South Vacherie, LA

Hair follicle testing offers a prolonged detection period for drug use, capturing a history of up to 90 days.

This advantage gives employers a comprehensive view of a potential or current employee's substance history, critical for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in South Vacherie, LA

Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, providing reliable and unquestionable results.

The physical collection and stringent analysis methods make tampering nearly impossible, cementing their credibility in drug-testing protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in South Vacherie, LA

Our comprehensive network of testing centers nationwide ensures quick, easy, and accessible testing services.

For individuals in South Vacherie, this means hassle-free access to drug testing, supported by Accredited Drug Testing's widespread availability.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in South Vacherie, LA

With Accredited Drug Testing, the process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is both straightforward and confidential.

This approach ensures privacy, catering to those who prioritize discreet handling of their substance use testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in South Vacherie, LA

Our competitive pricing structures, coupled with swift turnaround times, offer excellent value for companies of varying sizes.

Accredited Drug Testing enables businesses to gain peace of mind, knowing they have cost-effective solutions without compromising speed or accuracy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in South Vacherie, LA

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed, delivering highly accurate results when it comes to detecting substance use.

This method ensures that individuals can trust the outcomes. Their ability to swiftly provide reliable data makes them a preferable choice for those seeking quick and efficient testing solutions in South Vacherie.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in South Vacherie, LA

Employing hair follicle testing supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal threats.

This assurance not only maintains workplace safety but also offers employers peace of mind, knowing they've adopted a dependable testing method.

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