Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Seabeck, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair offers a prolonged history of substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair's fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can show up to a 3-month detection period for substances like alcohol and drugs. The hair sample is easy to collect, fairly hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment, approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It’s suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair can't be collected, a similar volume of body hair could be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair only. Body hair denotes all other hair forms (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four critical steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about the initial processing of the sample into the lab's database. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data input not given by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial quick evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for it to be valid in legal settings. Samples testing positive in the Screening phase demand additional Confirmation.

If a specimen tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample and is prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a lower concentration than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is checked under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug intake for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: It is very challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, which enhances result accuracy.
• Tracks past usage: It can show a pattern of drug usage over a certain time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Seabeck, WA, outranks traditional urine tests because of its superior detecting ability.
Hair analysis offers a far-reaching insight into substance use habits, catching what urine tests might miss.

• Longer detection periods
• Improved accuracy
• Diligent reliability

Extended Detection Window

In Seabeck, WA, hair follicle testing provides a significant advantage with its extended detection window.
Employing a timeframe of up to 90 days, it allows employers to have a comprehensive view of a participant's substance use history. This long-range analysis establishes an essential understanding of an employee's or applicant's commitment to maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Seabeck, WA, are remarkably tamper-resistant.
Their distinctive process makes it exceedingly difficult to alter or spoil the samples, ensuring

• Dependability
• Integrity
• Confidence

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access with nationwide locations, including Seabeck, WA.
Our expansive network of

• Local testing centers
• Ease of access
• Streamlined procedures

Simple, Confidential Process

In Seabeck, WA, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential.
The procedure includes:

• Easy ordering
• Private sampling
• Secure results

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We pride ourselves on offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Seabeck, WA.
Through competitive pricing structures,

• Cost-effective solutions
• Rapid results delivery
• Exceptional value

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Seabeck, WA, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision and speed. These tests provide exceptionally accurate results, quickly identifying substance use without unnecessary delays or errors.
Clients trust the method for its reliability; it's not only about getting answers but getting them fast and with high veracity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Seabeck, WA employers, utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace compliance and safety policies.

• Ensures adherence to drug-free workplace standards
• Reduces legal vulnerabilities
• Enhances overall work environment safety

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