Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Yellowstone National Park, WY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing strands. When taken close to the scalp, hair provides a detection timeframe of up to 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands, comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil, near the scalp provides 100mg, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extended panels, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, an equal quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair; "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, samples undergo initial processing within a laboratory’s framework. This step includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any data entries missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in most samples, positive screens require confirmation for court admissibility. Samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Presumptively positive samples in Screening lead to additional hair being extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most intricate methodology.

Confirmation for positive screening outcomes is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can detect substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It offers patterns of drug use over time, not just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than alternative methods.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and personal growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Hair follicle testing provides superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests. Its capacity to detect drug use over an extended period, usually up to 90 days, greatly benefits employers enforcing zero-tolerance policies. Furthermore, hair tests are nearly impossible to manipulate, giving additional assurance in test reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Yellowstone National Park, WY
The advantage of hair follicle testing lies in its ability to monitor drug use for up to 90 days. This longer detection window offers employers a comprehensive perspective on an individual's substance history, crucial for informed hiring and workforce management.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Hair follicle tests reduce the chances of sample tampering significantly, providing dependable and uncontested results. This method's resistance to common tampering techniques secures its status as a reliable test option.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Accredited Drug Testing boasts extensive nationwide centers, ensuring easy and convenient access to testing services, including local sites at Yellowstone, providing a smooth and quick testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Our streamlined and private process for ordering, executing, and receiving test results addresses privacy concerns while ensuring the ease of use, catering to the comfort and discretion desired by clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Competitive pricing structures and swift turnaround times highlight the value Accredited Drug Testing offers businesses of any scale, reinforcing its commitment to cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Yellowstone National Park, WY
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Yellowstone ensure quick and accurate results. Their high accuracy in detecting substance use over long periods makes them an invaluable tool for companies dedicated to maintaining a drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Utilizing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks while promoting workplace safety and morale, offering peace of mind to employers in their policy enforcement.

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