Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pilar, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an impactful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged account of these substances, capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair offers up to about a 3-month detection duration for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to manipulate, and simple to dispatch.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four central steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample in a lab’s system. It involves verifying the sample was adequately sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid inspection for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be affirmed for court admissibility. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample yields a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepares it for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is exceedingly tough to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Historical data provision: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While sometimes labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually involves the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine tests in Pilar, NM? One major advantage is its unparalleled accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can trace substance use far beyond what urine tests can, offering a broader detection window. While urine tests may seem traditional, hair testing provides a more comprehensive and foolproof method, ensuring no recent drug usage slips through undetected, making it superior in detecting consistent substance abuse.

Extended Detection Window

Pilar, NM, sees hair follicle testing as an essential tool because it tracks drug usage over an extended period, up to 90 days. This method allows employers and authorities to get a more comprehensive understanding of a person's substance use history, vital for making informed decisions. This extended window provides a nuanced view, beyond mere recent use, reinforcing the hair test's role in delivering detailed substance use insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Pilar, NM, drastically reduce the chance of sample tampering, ensuring reliable results. Unlike other forms, hair samples are much harder to substitute or adulterate, as they are collected under observation. This makes hair testing a trustworthy option for employers and agencies needing definitive proof of substance use, maintaining testing integrity and providing indisputable evidence when evaluating individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing centers, including convenient locations in Pilar, NM, our hair follicle testing services ensure hassle-free access. These strategically placed centers make scheduling and attending tests straightforward, providing quick and efficient services for individuals and employers. The ease of access ensures that everyone benefits from timely and comprehensive testing, eliminating potential logistical worries.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Pilar, NM, our hair follicle drug testing process is simple and confidential. Individuals can easily order tests, go through the streamlined collection process, and receive results without compromising privacy. This hassle-free approach ensures that clients' concerns about confidentiality and ease of use are addressed, making the testing experience straightforward while keeping sensitive information secure and private.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Pilar, NM, benefits from our affordable pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle drug tests. With competitive prices that cater to businesses of all sizes, our services offer exceptional value. The rapid processing times mean that results are ready promptly, helping companies maintain peace of mind with minimal wait and investment, ensuring that cost and efficiency remain key benefits of choosing our testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Pilar, NM, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and speed in identifying substance use. These tests offer a high degree of accuracy, allowing results to be obtained quickly and reliably. By pinpointing even minute traces of drugs, hair tests ensure individuals are accurately assessed, making them invaluable tools for both employers and individuals seeking truthful results regarding substance abuse.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pilar, NM, gain peace of mind using hair follicle testing, as it aligns with drug-free workplace policies and compliance standards. This testing method minimizes legal risks associated with non-compliance, fostering a safer work environment. By investing in reliable testing, companies ensure they meet legal requirements while protecting workforce integrity, highlighting hair tests as key to maintaining organizational safety and standards.

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