Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Moquino, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture long-term alcohol and drug history by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber. Scalp-near hair samples can represent up to a three-month alcohol and drug detection timeline. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A sample from 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands, equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil, near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If a scalp hair sample is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. Here, head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The main phases in laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves introducing a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary drug abuse check. It cost-effectively rules out drug use in most samples; however, positive screens must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that screen positive require secondary confirmation.

For cases of presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction. During Extraction, drug traces are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of positive screenings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples may undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The end-to-end process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug testing can recognize drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test poses significant challenges, ensuring result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It presents a timeline of drug use patterns, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur greater costs than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer, as the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Moquino, NM
The hair follicle test outshines the more conventional urine test in various ways. Its superior accuracy and reliability provide clear advantages in situations requiring precise detection of substance use. Hair testing can identify drug use over a longer period, offering insights missed by standard urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Moquino, NM
Hair follicle testing offers an impressive detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing traditional methods. This extensive timeline allows employers to scrutinize an individual's prolonged substance use history, enabling informed decisions regarding current and prospective employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Moquino, NM
The hair follicle test's robust resistance to tampering ensures reliable and incontestable results. By making sample adulteration significantly challenging, this testing method eliminates doubts regarding the integrity of the process, providing confidence in the accuracy of the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Moquino, NM
Our expansive network of testing centers nationwide, including local options in Moquino, simplifies accessing drug testing services. This convenience ensures a seamless, efficient testing process, minimizing disruptions for individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Moquino, NM
The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle drug test results is straightforward and protects privacy. Clients are assured of confidentiality, further complemented by the ease of use, relieving any anxiety related to data security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Moquino, NM
Our competitive pricing structures, coupled with rapid turnaround times, deliver outstanding value, serving enterprises of varied scales. Companies benefit from cost-effective solutions and the reassurance of quick, dependable results for all testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Moquino, NM
Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for producing fast and reliable results, swiftly detecting substance use with remarkable precision. The efficacy of this method ensures high accuracy in identifying illicit drug use, thus making it an ideal choice for individuals and organizations seeking dependable testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Moquino, NM
Implementing hair follicle testing fosters adherence to workplace drug-free policies, thereby minimizing legal risks and elevating safety standards. Employers gain peace of mind knowing compliance is secured, enhancing workplace harmony and reducing liability concerns.

Drug Testing Near Moquino, NM

Moquino, NM