Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hood River, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. By capturing biomarkers within the fibrous strands, hair reveals an extended history of substance use. When taken from near the scalp, hair can detect the presence of substances for nearly three months. Collection of hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the girth of a #2 pencil) gathered from the scalp vicinity will yield 100mg of hair, which is the standard for screening and verification. For EtG, additional requests, or tests beyond 10 panels, it is recommended to use 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is advised. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a specimen into the lab's system, which involves verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Though Screening is an affordable way to eliminate drug usage on most samples, a positive finding needs confirmation for legal acceptance. Specimens with presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower levels than in other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complicated method to execute.

Confirmation of each positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required before confirmation. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation per ISO/IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection range: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have shorter detection spans.
• Hard to manipulate: It's exceedingly difficult to skew a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Provides usage trends: It illustrates a drug use pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot spot recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair in roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing in Hood River, OR offers numerous benefits. Hair tests provide a more accurate and reliable detection of drug use compared to traditional urine tests. The precision of hair testing ensures comprehensive results, reflecting a true depiction of an individual's drug history.

The extended detection period of hair testing greatly surpasses that of urine analysis. Employers and organizations therefore gain a deeper understanding of employees' or applicants’ past chemical usage, enabling more informed decisions and fostering a safer work environment.

Extended Detection Window

The strength of hair follicle testing lies in its long-term detection capability, especially in Hood River, OR. With the ability to unveil substance use over a span of up to 90 days, it provides employers with a thorough insight into a candidate’s or employee’s drug history. This extensive look-back period is unmatched by other methods, such as urine testing.

By offering such an extended detection window, hair tests facilitate more informed, strategic decisions for workplace safety and compliance. Employers benefit from this comprehensive review, which helps ensure a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Hood River, OR, hair follicle tests are renowned for their resistance to tampering, ensuring that results are genuine and defensible. The integrity of hair testing methods substantially diminishes the chances of sample adulteration, which is a prevalent issue with other tests like urine.

This robustness makes hair follicle testing the preferred choice for organizations keen on obtaining untainted results, providing peace of mind and safeguarding against incorrect conclusions influenced by manipulated samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Discover the convenience of nationwide testing locations with Accredited Drug Testing, accessible from Hood River, OR. With a network of centers spread across different cities, arranging a test is both quick and straightforward. This widespread reach guarantees that testing services are never far from reach.

Local options in Hood River make it easy to access drug testing without extensive travel or logistical challenges. Our nationwide coverage is designed to cater to clients effectively and efficiently, supporting hassle-free testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hood River, OR, the process of conducting a hair follicle drug test has been streamlined and confidential. Ordering a test is straightforward and can be done with ease, thus safeguarding personal privacy. Once the test is ordered, collection is carried out in a manner that ensures discreet handling of samples.

Test results are delivered promptly and with utmost confidentiality, giving clients assurance about their privacy being well protected throughout the entire testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround define our service offerings in Hood River, OR. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that everyone from small businesses to large corporations can access high-quality drug testing services without financial strain. Our pricing structures provide exceptional value, aiding budget-conscious decision-making.

Further bolstered by quick processing times, clients benefit from both cost efficiency and prompt results, thereby gaining valuable insights into substance use patterns with minimal delay and expense.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hood River, OR, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed, accuracy, and reliability. The method is designed to deliver precise results quickly, allowing both individuals and organizations to act promptly on the findings. With advanced technology, hair testing identifies even small quantities of substances, offering unparalleled confidence in the detection process.

Accurate detection of substance use is achieved through meticulous analysis, guided by expert professionals who ensure the highest standards in testing protocols. The rapid turnaround of results also ensures that decisions based on the tests can be made without undue delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hood River, OR achieve compliance and tranquility by integrating hair follicle testing into their drug-free workplace policies. By employing this method, companies dramatically lower their legal risk, as hair testing supports lawful practices and adheres to occupational safety standards.

Emphasizing accuracy and meticulousness, hair follicle drug tests fortify a company’s commitment to a safe and drug-free environment. This dedication not only benefits the organization but also contributes to overall workforce wellbeing.

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