Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Farmington, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means of detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by trapping biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, it offers an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It's advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Scalp hair specifically refers to head hair. Body hair includes any other types of hair (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process involves confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for potential drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical method for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be acceptable in legal contexts. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumed positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing the most complex method to conduct.

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

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have shorter detection periods.
• Cheating difficulty: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Shows historical usage: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is generally more expensive relative to other drug testing procedures.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and unique hair growth rates might influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Farmington, NM, proves why it surpasses urine testing methods in several respects. Advantages of hair testing include superior detection accuracy and reliability, offering a clearer picture of drug use history. Traditional urine tests fall short in comparison, as hair analysis ensures a more thorough and detailed account, marking it as the preferred choice for many.

Extended Detection Window

In Farmington, NM, hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use over a much longer period, sometimes up to 90 days. This method affords employers a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, offering insights that urine tests, limited to shorter timeframes, cannot provide.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Farmington, NM, are renowned for being tamper-resistant, thus providing reliable outcomes. The risk of sample adulteration diminishes significantly, ensuring that results remain unquestionable. This robust method guarantees the integrity of the testing process, offering peace of mind to employers who rely on accurate drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our widespread network of testing centers, including Farmington, NM, provides convenience, ensuring easy and prompt access to hair follicle testing services. Wherever you are, our nationwide centers ensure a quick and hassle-free experience, accommodating your drug testing needs with ease and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of conducting hair follicle tests in Farmington, NM, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, every step is designed to prioritize privacy and user convenience. This straightforward approach addresses privacy concerns efficiently and accommodates clients seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing in Farmington, NM, hair follicle testing provides significant savings, coupled with fast turnaround times. Our service offers great value for businesses of any size, ensuring peace of mind with quick and reliable results, without straining budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Farmington, NM, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results, ensuring efficient substance use detection. Their precision surpasses traditional methods by quickly delivering dependable outcomes. Whether testing for drugs or alcohol, these tests guarantee high accuracy levels, aiding employers in making informed decisions about their workforce.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance through hair follicle testing in Farmington, NM, grants employers peace of mind, aligning with workplace drug-free policies. This method helps reduce legal risks and enhances workplace safety, ensuring a secure and compliant environment, free from the challenges associated with less reliable testing methods.

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