Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The analysis of hair has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. By collecting hair close to the scalp, it can reveal a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch segment of nearly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) that is nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and panels over ten, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equal quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Key stages in lab processing of drug testing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not managed by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening provides an initial sweep for substances of abuse. Although Screening is cost-effective for ruling out substance intake for most samples, a positive screen must be verified for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening require subsequent confirmation.
If the initial Screening indicates a presumptive positive, further hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternatives like urine or oral fluid, making hair screening the most intricate methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair strand, not the scalp's follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Whitehall, LA
Hair follicle testing emerges superior due to extended detection timeframes and precision over urine tests. Being adopted widely by firms and legal bodies, it ensures a reliable check on substance use. The highlights include higher accuracy and a more comprehensive substance identification strategy.
Extended Detection Window in Whitehall, LA
The capacity of hair follicle testing to retrace drug usage over a span of up to 90 days is unmatched. This method allows employers in Whitehall, LA to comprehensively assess an individual’s substance history, offering a detailed perspective on their past drug interactions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Whitehall, LA
Hair follicle tests effectively mitigate risks associated with sample manipulation, providing unfaltering, indisputable outcomes. This guarantees accuracy and reliability, critical for processes requiring heightened assurance of result integrity in Whitehall, LA.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Whitehall, LA
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including those in Whitehall, LA, ensures simple access to testing services. Quick and seamless, these centers accommodate the testing needs with ease, enhancing user convenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Whitehall, LA
In Whitehall, LA, the streamlined and confidential procedure for conducting and reporting hair follicle tests ensures privacy and ease. The intuitive process alleviates common concerns, delivering a hassle-free and discreet testing experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Whitehall, LA
Offering competitive pricing and swift processing, our hair follicle tests ensure excellent value and prompt service for businesses across all scales in Whitehall, LA. This commitment to affordability and efficiency enhances the overall testing experience.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Whitehall, LA
In Whitehall, LA, drug detection methods have evolved with hair follicle tests providing rapid and precise outcomes. They surpass traditional testing forms due to their unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance usage. These tests quickly deliver trustworthy results, crucial for both employers and professionals seeking a reliable screening tool.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Whitehall, LA
With hair follicle testing, Whitehall, LA businesses benefit from assured compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. This testing form diminishes legal exertions and fosters a safe occupational atmosphere, offering peace of mind to employers.