Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Salt Lake City, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a prolonged retrospective view of substance use by securing biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When hairs are gathered near the scalp, they may deliver a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The process of hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, supplies 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. The sample should be weighed using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair not be obtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab’s database. This step confirms proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any pending data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug presence in most samples, any positive result necessitates a confirmatory test to be legally credible. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive outcome in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this point, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower levels than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair analysis is the most challenging method to conduct.

Verification of any positive findings from screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a limited detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Delivers historical context: It demonstrates a pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapability to detect recent intake: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing is costlier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing easily outshines traditional urine tests in Salt Lake City, UT.
Offering superior detection accuracy and reliability, hair tests paint a more comprehensive picture of an individual's drug usage. Contrarily, urine tests fall short in detecting long-term patterns of substance intake.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Salt Lake City, UT, offers an extended drug detection period.
With the ability to review substance usage for up to 90 days, it provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of an employee's history, which urine tests cannot match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing methods significantly decrease the potential for sample tampering in Salt Lake City, UT.
By ensuring reliable and accurate results, this method deters adulteration and offers peace of mind regarding the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network of testing centers, including those in Salt Lake City, UT, provides unmatched convenience.
Easily accessible, they allow for trouble-free and swift drug testing services, supporting you wherever you are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Salt Lake City, UT, is straightforward and confidential.
From ordering to receiving results, it maintains privacy and simplicity, addressing any concerns an individual might have over the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Salt Lake City, UT, our hair follicle tests are competitively priced with a fast turnaround.
Delivering great value, this allows businesses of any size to benefit from dependable testing without breaking the budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Salt Lake City, UT, the hair follicle drug tests provide rapid, accurate, and trustworthy results.
They excellently pinpoint substance intake, allowing organizations to make informed decisions. Their speed in delivering outcomes ensures timely insights for employers striving for a drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Salt Lake City, UT, helps employers encourage compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
This method mitigates legal risks and fosters a safer working environment, reinforcing company policies efficiently.

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