Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG add-ons and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to measure the sample is recommended. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four critical phases in the lab analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step involves checking that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for illicit substances. While Screening offers an affordable way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result needs confirming for legal admissibility. Any samples indicating potential positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show potential positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing methodology.
Verifying any positive Screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potentially positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation if required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bermuda Run, NC emerges due to several benefits over traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and consistency. This method detects drug use more reliably, giving it an edge over more conventional testing methods.
Extended Detection Window in Bermuda Run, NC explains how hair follicle testing can detect drug use over an expanded period, up to 90 days. This extended timeframe provides employers with a comprehensive assessment of an applicant's or employee's substance use history, highlighting its utility in the screening process.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bermuda Run, NC demonstrates the robustness of hair follicle tests in minimizing sample adulteration risks. This method provides reliable and indisputable results, making it a trustworthy choice in drug testing practices.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bermuda Run, NC emphasize the ease of access to our testing services. With numerous centers nationwide, we guarantee a quick, simple, and hassle-free experience for users requiring drug tests.
Simple, Confidential Process in Bermuda Run, NC clarifies the straightforward and private nature of ordering, conducting, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests. This transparency ensures user privacy and fosters a smooth testing procedure.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bermuda Run, NC reinforce the competitive nature of our pricing strategies and swift result delivery times. This approach promises excellent value and assurance for businesses, regardless of size.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bermuda Run, NC highlight the excellence of hair follicle drug tests. Their speed and precision set them apart, ensuring high accuracy in identifying substance use. Users can expect timely and reliable results, which make this testing method both efficient and effective.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bermuda Run, NC emphasize how hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety, ensuring peace of mind for employers.
