Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Marfa, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as a key method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and hassle-free to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, ideal for thorough screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen quantity of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be substituted. References to head hair strictly denote scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all alternative types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in the laboratory encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves checking the sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While this method is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most specimens, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any specimens with presumptive positive results during Screening require secondary confirmation.

For samples with presumptive positive outcomes at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample set for the Extraction phase. In Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening versus other methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the regulatory framework of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can determine drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a more limited detection period.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing accuracy in results.
• Chronological data: The tests can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Typically, it takes 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair tests.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing incurs higher costs compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth traits can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the testing process focuses on analyzing the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Marfa, TX consistently outperforms traditional urine tests. The primary advantage lies in its superior accuracy and longer detection period, up to 90 days. This method ensures better reliability and minimizes the chance of false negatives, offering a more comprehensive assessment of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Marfa, TX employers benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, which reveals a detailed overview of an individual's drug use history over the past 90 days. This advantage ensures a thorough screening, providing critical insights into long-term substance habits, aiding in informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Marfa, TX offer a tamper-resistant solution to drug screening. The method's rigorous collection process substantially reduces the chances of any sample adulteration, delivering trustworthy results and enhancing confidence in the integrity of the testing protocol.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Marfa, TX testing centers, along with our nationwide locations, provide unparalleled convenience. Access to drug testing services is seamless and hassle-free, ensuring that individuals and businesses can quickly and easily undergo necessary screenings with minimal disruption.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Marfa, TX is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, sample collection, and result retrieval are all designed to ensure privacy and ease of use. This simplicity reassures individuals concerned with discretion and accessibility.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Marfa, TX, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced, offering quick turnaround times that cater to companies big and small. Our cost-effective solutions provide value while ensuring fast and reliable results, delivering peace of mind to budget-conscious employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Marfa, TX, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision. This method ensures swift results, accurately identifying substance use. The robust detection mechanism provides unparalleled reliability, ensuring that results are both quick and exact, which is crucial for effective decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle tests in Marfa, TX boosts workplace compliance and security. By maintaining strict drug-free policies, businesses minimize legal risks and foster a safer working environment, bringing peace of mind to employers concerned with maintaining a compliant and productive workforce.

Drug Testing Near Marfa, TX

Shafter, TX

Valentine, TX

Plata, TX

Titley, TX

Quebec, TX

Presidio, TX

Alpine, TX

Fort Davis, TX

Ryan, TX

Tinaja, TX