Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Orchard, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fiber of the hair. When collected near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirming results. For tests such as EtG, additional options, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advisable. In cases where scalp hair is absent, a similar amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process consists of four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory's system. This step includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any additional data input not covered by an electronic custody chain.

Screening provides a preliminary and quick assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, any positive result needs confirmation for court validity. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening will necessitate an additional confirmation.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, hair is used to extract drugs at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methodologies to perform.

Any positive Screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples with presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory procedure is audited under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a briefer detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating is significantly challenging in a hair drug test, leading to more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It can showcase drug use patterns over a timeframe, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair about 5-7 days after use.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Orchard, TX, hair follicle testing surpasses conventional urine testing, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide more comprehensive results,

Extended Detection Window

The Extended Detection Window in hair follicle testing in Orchard, TX, detects substance use over an extended time frame, often up to 90 days. This feature gives employers a complete look at a candidate or employee's drug use history, significantly outperforming the limited window of urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Orchard, TX, offers a Tamper-Resistant method significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing in Orchard, TX is available through our extensive network of centers, making access

Simple, Confidential Process

In Orchard, TX, we offer an Simple, Confidential Process for hair follicle testing. From ordering to receiving results, steps are designed to ensure privacy and ease.