Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs. When clipped near the scalp, it can reveal evidence of alcohol and drug use for approximately up to a 3-month period. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprised of roughly 200 strands of hair (about the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive screens must be verified to be court-admissible. Samples that screen as presumptively positive necessitate additional confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.
Any positive screening result must be confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that screen positive are cleaned before confirming as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Andrews, NC, are evident. Hair tests demonstrate superior accuracy, offering a longer detection window and reducing the possibilities for deceit during sample collection. Whereas urine tests provide shorter detection periods, hair testing identifies substance use across months, providing thorough and reliable insights.
Hair follicle testing in Andrews, NC, provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This feature enables employers to obtain a comprehensive review of an individual's substance history. By looking beyond the typical short-term scope of alternative tests, organizations gain a clearer understanding of an employee's or applicant's drug consumption patterns over a more extensive timeframe.
Operating in Andrews, NC, hair follicle drug testing presents a tamper-resistant method that greatly minimizes the risk of adulterated samples. This testing technique ensures dependable outcomes, as the complexity of altering hair samples affirms the integrity and authenticity of the final results, providing unquestionable data that stakeholders can rely on with confidence.
With numerous testing locations nationwide, including Andrews, NC, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient, accessible, and hassle-free drug testing services. Whether locally or across cities, our centers provide easy access to reliable testing, minimizing logistical challenges and ensuring efficient service delivery without distance constraints.
Offering a simple and confidential process, drug testing in Andrews, NC, maintains user privacy and ease of use. The straightforward procedure involves seamless ordering, administering, and result delivery, all within a discreet framework that respects individual privacy and promotes confidence throughout the entire testing journey.
In Andrews, NC, Accredited Drug Testing is committed to affordable pricing, coupled with fast turnaround times. Our competitive rates and swift results ensure that businesses of varying sizes receive exceptional value and reassurance. This model offers substantial benefits without compromising on quality or efficiency in service delivery.
In Andrews, NC, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. It efficiently detects even trace amounts of substances with high precision, eliminating the guesswork often associated with other testing methods. This sophisticated testing approach ensures prompt and reflective results that employers and individuals can trust without delay.
Emphasizing compliance and peace of mind for employers in Andrews, NC, hair follicle testing secures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method substantially mitigates legal liabilities and amplifies safety within the work environment, promoting a lawful and secure operational atmosphere for businesses.
