Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records extended alcohol and drug history by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use up to roughly 3 months prior. Gathering hair is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable in diameter to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. When referencing head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes every other type (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning initiates the sample processing within a laboratory’s framework. This step involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other necessary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for the presence of drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective means to eliminate most cases of drug use, a confirmed result is needed for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample for further preparation in the Extraction stage. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", this examination assesses the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Dixon, NC demonstrates its superiority over traditional urine tests with its robust detection capabilities and remarkable reliability. Hair testing can identify drug use over an extended period, offering a more comprehensive analysis and reducing the chances of tampering—an advantage urine tests struggle to match.
Hair follicle testing in Dixon, NC is celebrated for its long detection timeline, assessing up to 90 days of drug use. This extended analysis period provides employers with a detailed insight into the substance history of employees or potential hires, aiding in more informed decision-making.
Dixon, NC benefits from employing hair follicle tests due to their tamper-resistant nature. This testing method minimizes risks of sample adulteration, ensuring trustworthy results that hold up under scrutiny, unlike some other drug testing methods.
Our nationwide network, including local centers in Dixon, NC, ensures our drug testing services are easily accessible. The convenience of having numerous testing sites offers customers swift and hassle-free service, ensuring immediate attention to their testing needs.
In Dixon, NC, our drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Order, test, and receive results with ease, all while maintaining privacy. This seamless procedure addresses both efficiency and user confidentiality concerns.
Our competitive pricing models and rapid response times in Dixon, NC boast excellent value for businesses of every size. Quick turnarounds and cost-effective pricing underscore our commitment to delivering quality service without financial strain.
In Dixon, NC, hair follicle drug tests shine with their unparalleled accuracy and prompt results. Their speed and precision in identifying substance use position them as leaders in drug testing. Hair testing is highly esteemed for its reliable results, quickly becoming the choice method for discerning employers.
For employers in Dixon, NC, using hair follicle testing fosters compliance with drug-free workplace policies and diminishes legal liabilities. This approach enhances workplace security by limiting illicit substance presence, ensuring organizational safety and operational integrity.
