Hair Follicle Drug Testing - District Heights, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a significant method for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. The strands of hair capture long-term evidence of these substances by embedding their biomarkers within. When sourced near the scalp, it offers a detection window of up to around three months for drugs and alcohol. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (similar in width to a number 2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp furnishes 100mg, which is the optimum amount for both screening and verification processes. For EtG and additional testing exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Utilize a jeweler's scale for precise measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent mass from body hair is needed. 'Head hair' denotes specifically scalp hair, while 'body hair' pertains to all other forms (like facial and axillary hair).

Outline of the Procedure

In the lab assessment of drug test results, four key procedures are followed: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial preparation of the sample into a lab's database, ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inserting any additional necessary information not available through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening constitutes a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While this process is cost-effective for eliminating the majority of samples from drug consumption suspicion, any positive findings necessitate verification for court acceptance. Samples identified as potentially positive during Screening need further confirmation.

Should a sample show potential positivity during Screening, extra hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from the hair at much fainter concentrations than found in other samples (like urine or oral fluid), posing hair testing as the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of positive Screening results proceeds through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All initially positive samples undergo cleaning before Confirmation as required. The full lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation falls under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.

Pros of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair analysis can identify drug use spanning back up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a brief detection timeframe.
• Challenging to falsify: The difficulty of cheating this method enhances the fidelity of the findings.
• Supplies historical data: It outlines a trend in substance use over time, not limited to recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of indicating recent usage: Drugs typically become perceptible in hair within 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair analysis usually incurs greater costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair shade and individual growth rates might influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation concerns the hair strand itself, excluding the follicle beneath the skin

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Outranks Urine Testing in District Heights, MD. Hair tests provide superior benefits when compared to urine tests.

• Longer detection period.
• More difficult to manipulate results.
• Improved accuracy and reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Capability in District Heights, MD. Hair follicle checks offer up to a

• 90-day detection period.
• Thorough drug history overview.
• A broader scope compared to traditional testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reduce Sample Adulteration Risks in District Heights, MD. Hair testing ensures

• Superior resilience against tampering.
• Reliable and unquestionable results.
• Transparent and fair testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Testing Convenience in District Heights, MD. Our facilities are spread across the country, offering

• Easy access to testing services.
• Fast and seamless process.
• Convenience for all test-takers.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Testing Process in District Heights, MD. Our streamlined protocol ensures

• Easy ordering and testing.
• Secure results handling.
• Privacy protection throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Timely Solutions in District Heights, MD. We offer

• Competitive pricing models.
• Rapid result turnaround.
• Exceptional value for businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed in Hair Follicle Tests in District Heights, MD. Hair follicle drug tests are applauded for their accuracy and swiftness.

• These tests precisely detect various substances efficiently.
• Results with a high degree of accuracy.
• Conducted with rapid processing times.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Safety Assurance in District Heights, MD. Employers benefit from hair testing

• Ensures regulatory compliance.
• Enhances workplace safety.
• Reduces litigation risks.

Drug Testing Near District Heights, MD

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Walker Mill, MD