Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Velva, ND

What it is, How it works

Testing hair has emerged as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal usage within a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing around 200 strands of hair (similar to a #2 pencil's size) near the scalp, will produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of the hair. It is beneficial to assess the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

In processing a drug test result in a lab, the key steps include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab’s workflow. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data recording absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary expedited assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug usage in most cases, a screen with positive indications must be validated for legal admissibility. Any samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In cases where a sample shows positive indications in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid). This complexity makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is achieved through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and the accreditation as per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can track drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine equivalents which have a narrower detection frame.
• Difficulty to manipulate: A hair drug test is extremely challenging to manipulate, enhancing the reliability of the findings.
• Illustrates usage trends: It can show a drug use pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to indicate recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable within hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing is costlier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually scrutinizes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests in Velva, ND due to its exceptional detection accuracy and reliability. This method offers a broader detection window, extending up to 90 days for drug usage, while urine tests are limited to recent consumption. Consequently, hair testing emerges as the superior choice, providing exhaustive insights into an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Velva, ND, offers an unparalleled advantage, covering up to 90 days of potential drug use. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's or employee's substance consumption history, fostering more informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Velva, ND, stands as a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the potential for adulteration. The procedure ensures reliable, unquestioned results, offering employers the confidence that the drug testing process is both secure and credible, supporting fair assessments and decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing center locations nationwide and in Velva, ND, our services offer swift, easy access to drug testing. This network simplifies the testing process, making it hassle-free for employers and individuals to partake in essential screening anywhere across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Velva, ND, hair follicle testing is characterized by a straightforward and confidential process. From test ordering to result retrieval, privacy and user-friendliness are prioritized, ensuring that privacy concerns are addressed while maintaining ease of use for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and rapid result turnaround distinguish hair follicle testing services in Velva, ND. These competitive pricing models, combined with quick processing times, deliver substantial value, catering to companies of all sizes while fostering financial peace.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Velva, ND, hair follicle drug tests are highlighted for their speedy and precise results. Known for their adept ability to detect substance usage, these tests provide high accuracy, ensuring reliable outcomes. Employers benefit from quick turnaround times, enabling informed decisions based on dependable data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Velva, ND, achieve peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method aids in mitigating legal risks and enhancing overall workplace safety, allowing businesses to focus on productivity with reduced concerns over substance-related infractions.

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