Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Monroe, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers of substances within the fibers of the growing strands, offering a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake. Sampling from near the scalp can offer nearly a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides a 100mg sample, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests over 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, an equivalent amount of body hair can be retrieved. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to any other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The fundamental stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's system. This involves confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for consumption of drugs. While an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to hold legal validity. Samples with positive preliminary results from Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptively positive Screening result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Conclusive confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, differing from urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, yielding more reliable results.
• Offers historical data: Provides insights into drug usage patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Costly: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color or growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing In West Monroe, LA, hair testing stands out by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests. This method extends beyond the limited detection window of urine, capturing substance use history over a much longer period.

Hair tests are less susceptible to tampering or false-positive results, providing a more dependable assessment of an individual's substance use history, crucial for employers and legal authorities seeking certainty.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window Hair follicle tests in West Monroe, LA offer an advantage with their capability to detect drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This extensive detection period provides a comprehensive view of an employee's or applicant's substance use history.

This method allows employers to trace back substance habits beyond the limitations of shorter-term testing methods, facilitating better-informed hiring and workplace policy decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method The resilience of hair follicle testing to sample tampering makes it a reliable choice in West Monroe, LA. This method significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, ensuring that results are both credible and accurate.

Employers and legal professionals can depend on such tamper-proof testing to uphold integrity and maintain trust in their drug testing procedures, mitigating the potential for fraudulent manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations With testing centers located nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessible and hassle-free services in West Monroe, LA. Our local presence means quick and efficient service for all drug testing needs.

Employers and individuals can take advantage of our widespread network, ensuring that scheduling and completing tests is as convenient and stress-free as possible, no matter the location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process The process for hair follicle testing in West Monroe, LA is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Clients can order tests, provide samples, and receive results with assurance of privacy and efficiency.

This streamlined approach helps alleviate concerns about confidentiality and eases the testing process, making it accessible and user-friendly for all involved parties.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround Our competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times in West Monroe, LA offer excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Hair follicle testing is not only reliable but also cost-effective, ensuring that companies can maintain sharp focus on budgetary requirements.

The swift return of results supports timely decision-making and reinforces confidence in the sustained operation of drug-free workplace initiatives.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results Hair follicle testing in West Monroe, LA offers unparalleled speed and accuracy. This method is favored for its rapid processing times and high precision in detecting substance use, ensuring that the results are both trustworthy and swift.

The ability of hair follicle tests to produce consistent and reliable results makes them a top choice for substance detection. This efficiency not only speeds up the hiring process but also ensures that employers can make informed decisions quickly and confidently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers Utilizing hair follicle testing in West Monroe, LA helps ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies. By maintaining compliance, businesses reduce legal risks and enhance the safety and productivity of their work environments.

This testing method offers peace of mind to employers, solidifying their commitment to maintaining a healthy and drug-free workplace, fostering a culture of safety and legal compliance.

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