Hair and nail drug testing is the most accurate way to identify drug use over an extended period, it provides history and longer detection periods than any other drug testing method.
Hair
Hair growth is fed by the bloodstream, drug metabolites taken orally, via injection, snorted, or smoked, are delivered into each hair strand via the bloodstream and embedded inside the hair shaft. Hence, external contaminants and commercial products like shampoos, bleaches and other hair chemicals will not alter the test results.
Nails
Fingernails are made up of keratin, this is the same material that hair is made of. As the nail grows, substances can pass from the blood vessels below the nail into the Nail (keratin fibers)
These substances become locked in keratin fibers along the entire length of the nail and provides detection of up to 6 months for drugs or up 3 months detection of alcohol abuse. When drugs or alcohol are ingested, biomarkers can be found in nails as early as 1-2 weeks after.
Fingernail samples are clipped and collected by the donor in front of our trained collection staff members. A clipping of 2-3 mm long is required from all ten fingernails until the required weight of nail has been collected.
Toenails can also be collected, however the detection period of drugs in toenails is up to 12 months.
Nail collections can be conducted to test for drugs and Alcohol EtG (direct alcohol biomarker).
Advantages of Hair / Nail Drug Testing:
- Longer window of detection, months instead of hours/days (urine)
- Cannot be cheated
- Differentiates between one-off incidents and addictive behavior.
- Easier to collect and is non-invasive
Turnaround Time for Hair & Nail Screens:
- Turnaround time begins upon receipt of the specimen at the laboratory
- Negative Drug Screens for Hair & Nail Specimens is 24 – 48 Hours
- Positive Drug Confirmation for Hair & Nail Specimens is 72 Hours (48 Hours after Screen Completed)
Hair & Nail Tests Available for the Following Bundled Panels:
5 Panel Drug Screen
- Amphetamines Methamphetamines
- Cocaine metabolite
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- THC metabolite (50 ng/ml)
6 Panel Drug Screen
- Amphetamines Methamphetamines
- Cocaine metabolite
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- THC metabolite (50 ng/ml)
- Benzodiazepines
7 Panel Drug Screen
- Amphetamines Methamphetamines
- Cocaine metabolite
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- THC metabolite (50 ng/ml)
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
10 Panel Drug Screen
- Amphetamines / Methamphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine metabolite
- Methadone
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Propoxyphene
- Creatinine
- THC metabolite
12 Panel Drug Screen
- Amphetamines / Methamphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine metabolite
- Methadone
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Propoxyphene
- Creatinine
- THC metabolite
- Meperidine
- Tramadol
Extended Opiates
*Optional add ons for above panels
- Hydrocodone / Hydromorphone
- Oxycodone / Oxymorphone
- Codeine
- Morphine
- 6-AM
- Meperidene (Demerol)
- Tramadol (Ultram) / Methadone
- Fentanyl
Hair & Nail Tests Available for the Following Individual Drugs:
- 6-Acetylmorphine (6MAM or 6 AM)
- Alprazolam or Alpha-Hydroxy-alprazolam (Xanax)
- Amphetamine
- Barbiturate
- Benzodiazepine
- Buprenorphine
- Cocaine
- Dextromethorphan (DXM or DM)
- Ectasy/MDMA
- ETG/Ethyl Glucuronide
- Fentanyl
- Flunitrazepam (Narcozep)
- GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid)
- Ketamine
- Marijuana/THC
- Meperidine & Metabolite
- Methamphetamine
- Midazolam
- Morphine
- Psilocin
- Secobarbital
- Sufentanil
- Tramadol (Ultram)
- Zolpidem