Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Powhatan, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an impactful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by encasing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month span for detecting alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) located nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for examination and corroboration. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, the same volume of body hair might be taken. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The main four stages involved in the lab handling of a drug testing result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initiation of processing a sample into a lab's system, ensuring the sample's seal and correct shipment, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing supplementary data entry not addressed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a pocket-friendly method to rule out drug intake in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample reveals presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), demonstrating why hair drug testing is the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any Screening positive result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that show presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can detect drug intake for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection periods of urine tests.
• Hard to adulterate: It is highly challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Records historical use: It can outline drug intake patterns over a time span, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug traces in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself assesses the hair strand and not the follicle located below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Powhatan, VA, hair follicle testing is preferred due to its superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, hair samples reveal drug use over longer periods, providing more reliable insights. This method reduces the chances of false negatives, ensuring more dependable results for employers.

Comparing hair testing to urine testing, the former offers greater reliability. Hair samples canvass drug use over weeks or even months, while urine tests offer a brief detection window, making hair follicle testing the preferred option in screening reliability and precision.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Powhatan, VA, benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing. This method can detect substance use for up to 90 days, offering a thorough record of an individual's drug history. Such comprehensive analysis aids in making informed decisions during hiring processes.

With hair follicle testing, substances are traced over lengthy periods, granting employers a clear view of an applicant’s substance use. This extended detection window makes it a preferred choice for those needing a full picture of a candidate’s drug history for informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Powhatan, VA, makes it invaluable for reliable results. Unlike other methods, it significantly minimizes the risk of sample manipulation, ensuring authenticity. This accuracy bolsters its reputation as a trustworthy measure in substance testing.

Minimizing tampering to a bare minimum, hair follicle drug tests are nearly foolproof. They offer undeniable reliability, much to the satisfaction of stakeholders relying on accurate assessments, making them a comprehensive choice over other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient nationwide testing locations, our services in Powhatan, VA, make drug testing accessible and efficient. With numerous centers across the country, prompt and hassle-free testing is assured, providing ease for individuals and organizations alike.

Our network ensures quick access to testing facilities nationwide. Whether local in Powhatan or elsewhere, our centers facilitate swift and stress-free testing experiences, making our services highly accessible and convenient for all our clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Powhatan, VA, is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, our process respects privacy concerns. Users find the service straightforward, ensuring ease of use without compromising confidentiality.

Privacy and simplicity remain core tenants of our testing process. Each step, from initiation to result, safeguards confidentiality, making our hair follicle testing easy to navigate while ensuring private information remains secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing paired with fast turnaround makes hair follicle testing in Powhatan, VA, cost-effective. Our services offer great value for organizations of all sizes, balancing affordability with rapid result delivery to suit diverse company budgets.

Frequent, efficient feedback paired with our affordability makes us an excellent choice for businesses. Quick results ensure organizations can act fast while benefiting from our economic pricing structure, demonstrating our commitment to value and promptness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Powhatan, VA provides fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method is known for its precision and quick turnaround, identifying drug use effectively. Many professionals opt for hair tests due to their unrivaled accuracy in detecting substances, making them a go-to choice for those valuing speed and precision.

Offering rapid and precise screening, hair follicle testing is essential for companies keen on maintaining a drug-free workplace. Known for its efficient processes, it ensures quick and dependable results, making it a superior choice for those needing timely and exact drug screenings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Powhatan, VA, provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. By upholding workplace drug-free policies, it minimizes legal liabilities and enhances organizational safety. This trustworthy method ensures adherence to policies, promoting safety and compliance.

Utilizing hair follicle testing, employers can ensure complete compliance with drug policies. It diminishes legal concerns while maintaining a safe workplace environment, providing peace of mind through reliable and effective substance screening practices.

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