Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of substance use, capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over approximately a three-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A specimen of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp yields 100mg—optimal for both initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. Head hair denotes scalp hair exclusively, while body hair pertains to all other types (like facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the introductory handling of a specimen within a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes necessary data not provided via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial, swift check for drug consumption. Although cost-efficient for excluding substance use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for judicial acceptability. Samples indicating positivity in Screening require subsequent confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drug extraction from hair is at a far lower concentration than other methods (like urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of positive screen results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under the scrutiny of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly mistaken as "hair follicle tests," this test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Carthage, NC, trumps urine testing in several ways. This method offers more consistent detection accuracy across various substances. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing provides superior reliability, thanks to its longer detection window and resistance to manipulation.
The hair follicle drug test executed in Carthage, NC, boasts a substantial detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This extensive timeframe supplies employers with a thorough overview of an individual's substance use history, facilitating more informed hiring or monitoring decisions.
Conducting hair follicle tests in Carthage, NC, significantly minimizes the chance of tampering. With this test, the sample integrity is preserved, leading to nearly unquestionable results. This resistance to adulteration ensures the reliability of the test's outcomes across various scenarios.
Access to convenient testing is simplified with our strategically placed centers in Carthage, NC, and nationwide. Our network facilitates quick, hassle-free access, ensuring individuals and companies face no hurdles in obtaining reliable testing services.
In Carthage, NC, the process of ordering, testing, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential. This seamless procedure addresses privacy concerns while offering a user-friendly approach, making professional testing stress-free.
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround characterize our hair follicle testing in Carthage, NC. We offer exceptional value, ensuring companies of all sizes benefit from affordable solutions that provide peace of mind, without compromising on quality or speed.
In Carthage, NC, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their remarkable accuracy and efficiency. This testing method rapidly identifies substance use, underscoring its reliability. By delivering precise results, these tests offer the speed needed to make informed decisions.
Ensuring compliance for Carthage, NC employers, hair follicle testing bolsters drug-free workplace policies, thereby minimizing legal issues and enhancing workplace safety. This practice helps adhere to regulations effectively, fostering a safe and compliant working environment in Carthage, NC.
