Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Using hair for substance detection, including drugs and alcohol, has gained recognition as an effective approach. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by sealing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. Collected from the scalp area, hair can reflect a detection time frame of roughly three months for alcohol and drug use. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and it is easy to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil), offers 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmations. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding ten panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weight measurement is recommended. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" denotes solely scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Processing a drug test result at the laboratory involves four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab’s system occurs. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for possible substance use. Although efficient in terms of cost for eliminating drug presence in most samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that indicate presumptive positivity during Screening necessitate further verification.
Presumptive positivity in the Screening stage leads to additional hair being extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a much lower concentration level compared to different methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive findings from Screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is carried out under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the scalp-embedded follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Deer Park, TX
Comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests highlights its significant advantages. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy with extended detection windows, surpassing urine tests in reliability and comprehensive substance use assessment.
Extended Detection Window in Deer Park, TX
Hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window of up to 90 days, surpassing shorter-term methods. This long-range capability enables employers to thoroughly evaluate an applicant or employee's substance history, ensuring a careful and informed hiring process.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Deer Park, TX
Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to tampering. By significantly reducing sample adulteration risks, these tests offer reliable, indisputable outcomes that are dependable for workplace policies and legal requirements in Deer Park, TX.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Deer Park, TX
Our testing centers are readily accessible nationwide and locally in Deer Park, TX. With convenient locations, accessing reliable drug testing services is straightforward, ensuring efficiency and ease for both individuals and organizations.
Simple, Confidential Process in Deer Park, TX
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is simple and confidential in Deer Park, TX. This approach promotes privacy and convenience, easing any concerns regarding the testing methodology.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Deer Park, TX
We offer competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround for hair follicle tests in Deer Park, TX. This combination offers great value and ensures peace of mind, catering to businesses of all sizes seeking cost-effective drug screening solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Deer Park, TX
Hair follicle drug tests in Deer Park, TX, deliver prompt and precise outcomes. By precisely identifying substance use, they provide an accurate reflection of an individual’s drug history. These tests excel in detecting a wide array of substances efficiently, offering results that employers and authorities can trust.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Deer Park, TX
Employing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, minimizing legal liabilities and boosting workplace safety. This reliable method supports a drug-free work setting, providing peace of mind to employers.
