Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atlantic Beach, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive timeline of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers as they grow. When hair is taken from near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of approximately 200 strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG tests, extensions, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to check the specimen’s weight using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't present, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in processing a laboratory drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves confirming the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and completing any further data entry lacking in an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening serves as a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of misuse. While it's a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be verified to be permissible in legal proceedings. Any samples that test as potentially positive during screening will need additional confirmation.

If screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for extraction. At this juncture, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive results during screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing potential positives are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating on a hair drug test is quite difficult, thereby ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over an extended timeframe, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: There is a delay of roughly 5-7 days before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations typically cost more than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug by-products in hair.

Note: Though frequently called "hair follicle tests", this analysis evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Atlantic Beach, NC, hair follicle testing is a standout choice for drug detection, offering significant advantages over urine tests. With a detection window extending up to 90 days, hair tests provide a far-reaching, comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history, ensuring more informed and reliable assessments.

Advantages over Urine Testing:

• Longer detection period
• Less prone to adulteration
• In-depth substance use history

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Atlantic Beach, NC, allows for a thorough examination of drug history over a period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window is invaluable for employers seeking an in-depth understanding of an employee's substance use, aiding informed decisions.

• Up to 90 days detection
• Comprehensive substance use overview
• Enhanced decision-making tool

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Atlantic Beach, NC, the hair follicle testing method offers a highly tamper-resistant option for drug screenings. This approach significantly mitigates the risk of adulterated samples, ensuring that results are both reliable and trustworthy. As such, organizations can confidently depend on the accuracy of the findings.

• Significantly reduced risk of sample tampering
• Consistently reliable and accurate results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount in our service, with testing centers located nationwide and locally in Atlantic Beach, NC. These centers ensure easy access to reliable drug testing without hassle, offering quick and effective solutions for all clients.

• Nationwide and local centers
• Streamlined and accessible services
• Quick, hassle-free access

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of initiating, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests in Atlantic Beach, NC, is made simple and private. This approach addresses privacy concerns, offering a confidential and user-friendly experience for all participants.

• Simple ordering and testing process
• Ensures participant privacy

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Atlantic Beach, NC, our hair follicle testing solutions are designed to provide great value through competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Affordable options cater to businesses of varying sizes without compromising on quality or timeliness.

• Competitive pricing structures
• Fast turnaround for results
• Excellent value for all business sizes

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Atlantic Beach, NC, provide unmatched accuracy for identifying substance use. This cutting-edge method ensures fast and reliable results, vastly superior to traditional testing approaches, allowing individuals and organizations to get the information they need without delay.

Key Benefits:

• Exceptional accuracy in substance detection
• Rapid turnaround, receiving prompt results

Clients rely on our services for critical decision-making, thanks to the dependability and swiftness of hair testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Atlantic Beach, NC, gain peace of mind utilizing hair follicle testing for drug-free workplace compliance. This method not only fulfills legal requirements but also enhances workplace safety by ensuring accurate detection of substance use.

• Ensures adherence to drug-free policies
• Minimizes legal exposure
• Fosters a safer working environment

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