What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a long-term record of substances by incorporating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to ship.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from about 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil) next to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, the same quantity of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, only scalp hair is implied. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial processing of a specimen into the laboratory's system. This encompasses verifying that the specimen was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing additional data entry if not provided by the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening provides a cost-effective method to rule out drug use for most samples; however, a positive screening result requires confirmation to be admissible in court. Samples with positive indications in Screening require secondary confirmation.

When a sample yields a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of conducting hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter detection timeframe of urine tests.
Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to cheat, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
Offers historical insight: These tests can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, rather than just indicating recent use.

Limitations:

Inability to detect recent use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to be apparent in hair.
Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more expensive than other testing methods.
Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often dubbed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually assesses the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superior Hair Testing over Standard Urine Tests in Babbitt, NV illustrates advanced detection. Hair follicle tests match reliability with profound accuracy, surpassing traditional methods.

Extended detection times for substance history analysis.
Prevention of misleading results.
Precision addressing diverse substances.

The efficacy and scope of hair tests render them a critical choice in Babbitt.

Extended Detection Window

An Extensive Detection Window in Babbitt, NV is noteworthy for revealing drug use over longer periods, with hair follicle tests offering insights covering up to 90 days.

Analysis of past substance use.
Comprehensive substance abuse history assessment.
Significant detection window that extends traditional limits.

This detailed approach benefits organizations in Babbitt aiming for meticulous employee evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant and Trustworthy Techniques in Babbitt, NV provide assurance through hair follicle tests. These methods mitigate sample manipulation, ensuring valid results.

Prevention of test cheating.
Reliable authenticity in samples.
Unquestionable testing standards.

This reinforced security positions hair tests as a trusted method across Babbitt.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Pervasive Nationwide Testing Sites with Focused Local Services in Babbitt, NV assure smooth accessibility and hassle-free testing.

Widespread network of testing locations.
Ease of access within Babbitt.
Streamlined testing procedures.

This national reach with a local impact ensures uninterrupted service and convenience in Babbitt.

Simple, Confidential Process

An Easy and Confidential Process in Babbitt, NV defines the hair testing experience. The procedure ensures that privacy is maintained while delivering simplicity.

Streamlined ordering system.
Discreet testing proceedings.
Secure result dissemination.

Such an approach maintains user confidentiality without compromising operational ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective Solutions and Swift Responses are hallmarks in Babbitt, NV, providing companies with budget-friendly and prompt solutions.

Competitive pricing options.
Efficient turnaround for prompt decisions.
Value-focused testing methodologies.

The strategic pricing and swift delivery satisfy diverse organizational needs in Babbitt.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Detection in Babbitt, NV provides predictive and immediate results through hair follicle testing. These tests are distinguished by their precision and rapid execution in revealing substance use.