Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair fibers capture biomarkers over time, offering a comprehensive history of substance use. Collecting hair near the scalp can reveal alcohol and drug use for an estimated 3-month period. The collection process is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section involving approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides around 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample size is advised. Utilize a jeweler’s scale for precision weighing of the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The major stages in processing a drug test in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This task ensures that the sample is appropriately sealed and shipped, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any additional data input not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a rapid initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-effective method to exclude drug use for most samples, positive results require further confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Any samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.
When a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. In this step, drugs are separated from hair in much lower amounts than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is notably challenging.
Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned before confirmation when necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is examined according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on analyzing the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Choose Hair Over Urine Testing in Carson, NM? Hair testing outperforms urine testing in various aspects. It provides a vast detection window, capturing drug use patterns over months, rather than days, ensuring more comprehensive usage insights.
The reliability of hair testing stems from its robust methodology, ensuring results are difficult to manipulate compared to urine tests, making it the choice for compliance-focused environments.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers a historical view of drug use. In Carson, NM, this comprehensive insight aids employers in making informed hiring or retention decisions.
Extensive detection periods assist in identifying chronic substance use, providing employers with a clear picture of an individual's long-term habits, crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Hair follicle tests in Carson, NM are designed to be tamper-resistant, minimizing risks of sample adulteration. Their robustness provides unquestionable reliability in results, crucial for strict regulatory compliance.
This testing method's integrity lies in its resistance to cheats common to other types, ensuring peace of mind for stakeholders seeking dependable drug testing solutions.
With testing centers nationwide, including Carson, NM, accessing services is seamless. Our convenient locations make it easy for individuals and companies to conduct tests without travel inconvenience.
This nationwide availability ensures hassle-free access to reliable testing services, supporting both local and remote testing needs efficiently.
In Carson, NM, our hair testing process is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns with utmost care. The straightforward process from ordering to receiving results makes it accessible to everyone.
We prioritize discreetness and ease, ensuring users feel secure and informed throughout the entire testing experience, from collection to notification.
Affordable pricing in Carson, NM and quick results characterize our hair follicle testing service. Our competitive pricing structure ensures value for all business scales, combined with fast turnaround for quick decision-making.
The blend of cost-effectiveness and efficiency makes hair testing not just reliable but an economical option for employers seeking secure solutions within budget.
Carson, NM benefits from the swift and precise outcomes of hair follicle drug tests. These tests boast high accuracy in spotting substance use, ensuring reliability in results. Efficiency is key, and hair testing delivers that with quick turnaround times to meet the needs of individuals and employers alike.
The accuracy of hair follicle tests lies in their thoroughness, detecting even trace levels of substances. This helps in maintaining the integrity of workplaces and legal standards by ensuring only dependable results are considered.
Employers in Carson, NM achieve peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing reduces legal exposure and enhances work safety by weeding out substance misuse.
Assuring safety and governance within the workplace, hair testing helps maintain a safe, drug-free environment, complying with both company policies and legal standards.