Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as a crucial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair, it offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal substance usage over nearly a 3-month span. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to ship.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test outcome includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning addresses the initial handling of a sample into the laboratory’s framework, ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry needed beyond the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening integrates an initial, swift assessment for substance abuse. Though cost-effective for dismissing drug use in numerous samples, any positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
For presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and set for Extraction, where drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation of positive screening results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is somewhat misleading, as the analysis involves the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests in Ayden, NC. It stands superior in terms of detection accuracy and reliability, detecting drug use over a longer period. This allows for a more comprehensive assessment of substance use patterns, elevating its effectiveness over the limited detection windows of urine tests.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, reaching up to 90 days, provides a thorough evaluation for employers in Ayden, NC. This advantage allows employers to gain a deeper understanding of an applicant or employee’s past substance use, significantly enhancing the reliability of background checks.
Hair follicle tests in Ayden, NC, are a tamper-resistant method that effectively mitigates the risks associated with sample adulteration. This method ensures that results are both reliable and unquestionable, providing organizations with greater confidence in the integrity of the testing process.
Our extensive network of nationwide testing locations, including facilities in Ayden, NC, guarantees convenient access to necessary services. This setup ensures that testing is quick, easy, and free from hassle, accommodating the varying needs of individuals and organizations across the country.
The hair testing process in Ayden, NC, is both simple and confidential, designed to address privacy concerns. From ordering to collection and receiving results, every step is streamlined to ensure ease of use while maintaining participants' confidentiality.
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times make hair follicle drug testing an affordable option for businesses of all sizes in Ayden, NC. The combination of cost-effectiveness and quick results provides excellent value and assurance to companies looking for efficient substance screening solutions.
In Ayden, NC, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their rapid, precise, and reliable results. The approach is marked by exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use, positioning it as a preferred choice for those seeking trustworthy testing outcomes. Individuals and organizations alike benefit from the swift detection process, ensuring prompt decision-making in various contexts.
Employers in Ayden, NC, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies and reducing legal risks. This method contributes to a safer work environment by confirming compliance and fostering a culture of responsibility among employees.
