Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair can record a prolonged timeline of drug and alcohol presence by embedding biomarkers within its growing strands. Collected near the scalp, hair offers up to an approximate three-month detection span for both alcohol and drugs. Its easy collection process, resistance to tampering, and simple shipping make hair an ideal sample.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp results in 100mg, which is ideal for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the hair on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair can't be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair is viable. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair covers all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test processing incorporates four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of integrating a sample into the lab’s system, involving the verification of sealed and correctly shipped samples, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any needed data entry beyond what an electronic chain of custody system supplies.
Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Although it is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation for legal admissibility. All samples suspected positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is used from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at markedly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is completed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The entire testing process from Accessioning to Confirmation is under review following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly known as "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sulphur, LA
Extended Detection Window in Sulphur, LA
The hair follicle approach excels with its impressive detection period of up to 90 days. This extended window reveals comprehensive histories of substance use, providing valuable insights into an individual's past habits and aiding informed decision-making for employers.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sulphur, LA
Reduce tampering risks significantly with the hair follicle testing method. In Sulphur, LA, these tests ensure that results remain trustworthy and genuine, offering a testing method that is nearly immune to adulteration and manipulation attempts.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sulphur, LA
Offering vast accessibility, our nationwide and local testing centers in Sulphur, LA eliminate the hassle of distant travel. Enjoy quick and seamless access to testing services, tailored to provide efficient solutions for varied needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Sulphur, LA
Experience a straightforward and private procedure for hair follicle testing in Sulphur, LA. Designed to protect privacy, the process from ordering to result receipt is user-friendly, ensuring confidentiality and ease of use throughout.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sulphur, LA
Benefit from our competitive pricing and swift result delivery in Sulphur, LA. Providing economical options with speedy turnarounds, our services offer outstanding value, ensuring peace of mind for businesses of all scales.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sulphur, LA
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and swiftness, making them the top choice in Sulphur, LA. With exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use, these tests provide fast and trustworthy results that cater to the needs of employers and individuals alike.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sulphur, LA
Secure workplace compliance and mitigate legal pitfalls with hair follicle testing. Employers in Sulphur, LA can rely on this method to uphold drug-free policies, ensuring a safe and compliant work environment, while promoting peace of mind.