Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has become recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can offer a comprehensive history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing strand's fibers. When gathered from the area closest to the scalp, it can present a detection window of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 200 hair strands, approximately 1.5 inches long (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmatory purposes. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and/or over ten panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result generally encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning stage includes the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's system. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and the completion of any other data tasks not addressed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary, rapid check for misuse of substances. While it offers a cost-effective method for discarding drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples with tentative positive results during Screening require further verification.
If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial batch for the Extraction phase. In this process, drugs are drawn out from hair in significantly lower concentrations than those used in other methods such as urine or oral fluid analysis, making hair drug screening the most challenging procedure to execute.
Verification of any positive screening results is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with provisional positive findings are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory protocol, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the regulations of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Delway, NC, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Its enhanced detection capability extends beyond that of urine tests, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This makes hair follicle testing a more reliable and thorough option for employers and legal systems seeking to enforce substance-free environments with confidence.
Employers in Delway, NC, value hair follicle testing for its extended detection window. This method can uncover drug use spanning up to three months, allowing a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history. This extended period is especially beneficial for long-term assessments of workplace safety and reliability, providing an unrivaled substance use profile.
In Delway, NC, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant option that limits the risk of sample adulteration. The collection process is supervised, ensuring that samples are secure and unaltered. This rigor ensures that the results are highly reliable and trusted by employers, courts, and individuals aiming for conclusive substance use assessments.
Accredited Drug Testing makes hair follicle testing in Delway, NC, convenient with numerous testing centers nationwide. This widespread availability ensures that individuals and companies can access testing services quickly and easily, without the hassle of extensive travel or delays, making compliance with testing needs straightforward.
The hair follicle testing process in Delway, NC, is straightforward and respects privacy. From ordering the test to receiving the results, the process is confidential and user-friendly, addressing concerns regarding privacy and ease of use. This supports a stress-free experience while ensuring that the highest standards are maintained.
In Delway, NC, hair follicle testing provides affordable pricing and rapid turnaround. Our competitive pricing structure ensures cost-effectiveness for businesses of all sizes, while the efficient processing of tests provides fast results, offering excellent value and security for companies seeking to maintain a drug-free environment.
In Delway, NC, the precision of hair follicle drug tests sets them apart, delivering fast and reliable results. This method is highly accurate in detecting even trace amounts of substances, ensuring that the results reflect the true substance use patterns. The quick turnaround time of hair follicle testing provides personal and corporate users with immediate clarity and confidence in their decisions.
Using hair follicle drug testing in Delway, NC, offers employers peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reliable testing method reduces legal risks associated with substance use in the workplace, enhancing overall safety and demonstrating a commitment to a healthy, productive work environment.
