Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Long Creek, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture long-term indicators of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, a hair test can offer a detection window of nearly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, resistive to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for evaluation and confirmation. When testing for EtG, additional screenings, or panels exceeding 10, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to verify the specimen’s weight. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent mass of body hair can be obtained. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the stage where a sample enters the lab's system for processing. It ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for further use in the Extraction stage. In this step, the hair undergoes a process to extract drugs at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair drug screening as the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation when required. The complete lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the standards of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug usage for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests detect drugs within a shorter span.
• Difficult to tamper with: The integrity of hair drug test results is higher due to the challenge in manipulating them.
• Historical usage overview: It can illustrate a trend of drug use over time as opposed to merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing carries a higher cost than other testing alternatives.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Long Creek, OR

• Hair follicle testing offers unrivaled accuracy over traditional urine tests, showcasing superior detection capabilities for longer periods.
• This method catches substance abuse missed by standard urine tests, assuring employers of stronger policy adherence.
• Unlike urine tests, hair testing addresses multiple issues like accuracy and reliability, adding credibility to test outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers a broader view into substance use history. Unlike urine tests, which detect only recent use, hair tests in Long Creek, OR can provide insights up to 90 days.

Employers benefit from this feature with a comprehensive understanding of applicant or employee behavior, promoting healthier workplace environments. The prolonged detection range aids in better decision-making through accurate profiling.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Long Creek, OR showcases significant resistance to tampering, unlike traditional tests. This advantage ensures credible results and boosts confidence in the testing process.

By focusing on hair samples, this method eliminates common adulteration tactics employed during urine testing, protecting the integrity of the results and offering unquestionable assurance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local< locations in Long Creek, OR, accessing our hair follicle testing sites is hassle-free. This accessibility ensures quick service without sacrifices on quality or accuracy.

The broad network simplifies booking, executing tests, and receiving results. Freeing clients from the constraints of distant testing centers, they access trusted services right at their doorstep.