Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying illicit substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures an extensive history of substance use by encasing biomarkers within its strands as it grows. When collected near the roots, hair can offer up to a 90-day period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.
Collecting 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands near the scalp provides 100mg, the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For specific tests like EtG, add-ons, or panels above 10, it's advisable to collect 150mg. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. By "head hair," we mean scalp hair exclusively, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Processing Steps Overview
The drug testing laboratory process comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab system. This step ensures proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any necessary additional data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary, cost-efficient evaluation for substances of abuse. It effectively rules out drug use in most samples, but a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. Here, substances are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than those in urine or oral fluid testing, making hair drug testing a challenging procedure.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed pre-confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP Hair designation (College of American Pathologists) and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of Hair Drug Testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test itself evaluates the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in Cottonwood Heights, UT due to its advanced detection capabilities. With longer observation windows and less vulnerability to manipulation, hair testing offers a more reliable assessment of substance use histories than urine tests, which cover shorter timelines.
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. Offering a comprehensive perspective on an individual’s drug history, this method helps employers make informed decisions by thoroughly assessing past substance use beyond the scope of standard testing approaches.
Hair follicle tests in Cottonwood Heights, UT, are known for their tamper-resistant nature. By significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration, they deliver dependable and accurate results, ensuring authenticity in drug testing processes—an essential characteristic for trustworthy evaluations.
Access to convenient testing locations is simplified in Cottonwood Heights, UT, with our extensive network of centers nationwide. This distribution allows for quick, straightforward, and hassle-free drug testing services, providing individuals and businesses with accessible solutions for their testing needs.
The process of hair follicle testing in Cottonwood Heights, UT, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use, addressing concerns about confidentiality and ensuring a stress-free experience for all clients.
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, we offer hair follicle testing with affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing structures provide excellent value without compromising timeliness, making it an attractive option for companies seeking efficient drug testing solutions.
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. Compared to other testing methods, they boast high accuracy in detecting substance use. These tests quickly deliver reliable results, making them an excellent choice for those who prioritize efficiency and reliability in substance use detection.
Employers in Cottonwood Heights, UT, benefit from peace of mind through hair follicle drug testing. This method enforces compliance with workplace drug-free policies, helping companies enhance safety standards and minimize legal risks associated with drug use in professional settings.
