Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized for its efficacy, hair testing serves as a potent method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When snipped near the scalp, hair reveals a detection period extending nearly 90 days for both alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A snippet of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), taken nearest to the scalp provides a 100mg sample, optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is recommended to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is suitable. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result process entails four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This step ensures that the sample’s seal and shipment are intact, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary, rapid assessment for drug abuses. While Screening is a cost-effective measure to dismiss drug consumption in most cases, a positive result warrants confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive Screening samples necessitate a secondary verification.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction process. This phase involves deriving drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining the challenge of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of positive results is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation when needed. The comprehensive lab process ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mischaracterized as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Los Fresnos, TX, hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing by providing greater detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing offers a comprehensive picture of drug use, thanks to its extended detection period compared to traditional urine tests. This makes it a superior choice for those seeking a reliable testing method.
Hair follicle testing in Los Fresnos, TX, allows for the detection of drug use over a significantly longer duration, up to 90 days. This extensive window gives employers insight into an employee's or applicant's substance history, ensuring a thorough overview of past drug use and making informed decisions easier.
One significant advantage of hair follicle tests in Los Fresnos, TX, is their resistance to tampering. By substantially reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests provide results that are both trustworthy and uncontested. This makes them a preferred choice for those prioritizing accuracy and reliability.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including in Los Fresnos, TX, accessing testing services is quick and hassle-free. This extensive network ensures that clients easily find a local center, making drug testing an effortless process, no matter the location, and providing unparalleled convenience.
In Los Fresnos, TX, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be both simple and confidential. Ordering a test, taking it, and receiving the results are straightforward steps, addressing any privacy worries and ensuring ease of use for individuals and organizations alike.
Offering competitive pricing and quick results in Los Fresnos, TX, hair follicle testing provides great value. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable options and swift turnaround times, delivering excellent service and reassuring peace of mind associated with thorough drug testing.
Hair follicle drug tests in Los Fresnos, TX, offer unmatched precision and swiftness. These tests are highly accurate at identifying substance use, ensuring that results are both fast and dependable. With a focus on precision, hair tests lead in the field of drug testing by providing rapid and reliable outcomes, making them a top choice.
Utilizing hair follicle tests in Los Fresnos, TX, helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and improving safety. This method provides peace of mind for employers, ensuring compliance and fostering a more secure work environment by detecting substance use effectively.
