Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective approach for detecting substance use, including alcohol. Hair strands preserve evidence of alcohol and drug usage through embedded biomarkers. When hair near the scalp is collected, it can reveal consumption habits over roughly a 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg of material, which is ideal for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or for panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent mass of body hair can be used. By head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory procedure comprises four central stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory's records. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and finalizes any additional data entry missing in an electronic custody chain system.
Screening offers a preliminary basic evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug use for most samples, a court-viable positive screen requires confirmation. Any samples indicating a positive result in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower densities in contrast to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug testing especially challenging.
Confirmation of any initially positive results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: This test is frequently termed a "hair follicle test", nonetheless, its examination focuses on the hair itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Woodside, LA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests with its superior detection capabilities and accuracy. This method provides a more reliable view of an individual’s substance use history, making it an ideal choice for many professionals.
Extended Detection Window in Woodside, LA
Hair follicle tests offer an impressive detection window of up to 90 days, providing employers with a detailed overview of an employee's or candidate's drug use history in Woodside, LA.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
In Woodside, LA, hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. This method ensures reliable results that are difficult to dispute, offering peace of mind for all parties involved.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
With locations all over Woodside, LA, and nationwide, our testing centers provide quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process
Our process in Woodside, LA, ensures simplicity and confidentiality from ordering to receiving results, addressing any privacy concerns you might have.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Woodside, LA, we provide competitive pricing models and swift turnaround times, delivering excellent value for organizations of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, Reliable Testing in Woodside, LA
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed in Woodside, LA. Compared to other methods, they offer highly accurate detection of substance use, ensuring dependable results in a timely manner.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Woodside, LA, helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and improving overall workplace safety.
