Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burlington Junction, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use within a timeframe of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimum sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Measuring the sample's weight with a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. In reference to head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test results are processed through four primary laboratory stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is entered into the lab’s system. This process involves checking that the sample is properly sealed and has arrived in good condition, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While this step is cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive results must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening require further confirmation.

In the case of a presumptive positive from Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, substances are removed from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the more challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are thoroughly cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredits compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Shows use patterns: It delivers insights into drug use over a lengthy period, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Not immediately effective: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug testing, hair follicle tests outperform traditional urine tests in Burlington Junction, MO. Their ability to detect drug use over a more extended period ensures higher detection accuracy. Hair tests are not only more reliable but also offer a broader scope of substance identification.

Employers benefit from this superior testing method since it provides a detailed view of an individual's drug history. In contrast, urine tests have limited detection windows, making hair tests a preferred option for rigorous screening.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Burlington Junction, MO, is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, it allows for drug use detection up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive view of someone's substance history. This is crucial for employers seeking thorough screening methods.

The extended timeframe not only helps in identifying habitual users but also provides insights into long-term substance use patterns, ensuring more informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests in Burlington Junction, MO, are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, hair analyses reduce the risk of sample adulteration significantly, providing undeniable and reliable results.

This testing approach ensures samples remain unaltered, thus delivering trustworthy data that cannot be manipulated. It's the ideal choice for employers and institutions requiring ich results data that cannot be manipulated. It's the ideal choice for employers and institutions requiring integrity and accuracy in drug testing.