What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. It tracks a prolonged timeline of drug and alcohol intake by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair shafts. If gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to three months for substances and alcohol. The collection process for hair is easy, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional analyses, and panels exceeding 10, 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. When scalp hair cannot be accessed, a comparable amount of body hair is an alternative. Head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test result in the lab comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary handling of a sample within a laboratory framework. This phase involves confirming the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial swift evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to preclude drug usage in most cases, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Presumptive positive samples in Screening require further validation.

Upon yielding a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than those found in other methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), necessitating high precision in hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening finding is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples found to be presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with the ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug assessments can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
Increased difficulty to falsify: The challenge in manipulating hair tests results in higher accuracy.
Reveals historical data: It can depict a trend of drug usage over time, not just recent actions.

Limitations:

Lacks recent detection capability: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to register in hair strands.
Expense: Hair drug examinations tend to be pricier than other testing techniques.
Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair shaft rather than the root beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lesley, TX
Hair testing excels over urine tests in capturing drug use information.

Superior detection accuracy, as it looks beyond current substance levels.
Provides a complete view of an individual's history, unlike urine testing, which focuses on recent use.
Proven reliability, as results remain consistent and difficult to manipulate.

Such reliability elevates hair testing's effectiveness.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lesley, TX
The significant dedication window of hair follicle testing, stretching up to 90 days, offers employers a well-rounded picture of a person’s substance habits.

Captures long-term patterns of drug use that urine tests miss.
Essentials for thorough vetting, ensuring informed employment decisions.

This gives businesses crucial insights for assessing their workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lesley, TX
Hair follicle tests provide a robust barrier against tampering.

Less vulnerable to manipulation compared to urine tests, which can be adulterated easily.
Ensures integrity of samples collected.

The tamper-proof nature provides peace of mind, delivering credible and unquestionable test outcomes for employers and authorities alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lesley, TX
Our expansive network of testing sites provides simplicity and ease.

Access to countless centers nationwide.
Local Lesley, TX sites enhance convenience.
Quick, hassle-free.

Our services make testing straightforward and efficient, ensuring comprehensive access for all areas.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lesley, TX
Experience a streamlined and private testing routine.

Ordering, testing, receiving results—effortlessly.
Vigilant attention to privacy and client confidentiality.

Our process prioritizes user ease, facilitating stress-free drug evaluation without infringement on personal privacy, ensuring a secure and respectful testing environment.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lesley, TX
Hair follicle testing presents economically sound choices for all company sizes without delay.

Competitive rates for all services.
Rapid response delivering results swiftly.

Our service is geared to provide excellent value, keeping turnaround expedient while offering peace of mind regarding cost efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lesley, TX
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional methods by delivering precise outcomes without delay. The sophisticated nature of this test ensures high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing rapid and dependable data.
Employers benefit from its unparalleled dependability, guaranteeing that no trace of drug use evades detection due to this method's superior precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lesley, TX
Embracing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain drug-free environments efficiently.