Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol intake. By capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair, it offers a prolonged historical record of substance use. Hair collected near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol usage for up to three months. It is convenient to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample size of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil), taken from the scalp can provide 100mg necessary for screening and validation. For tests involving EtG, additional substances, or those exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. The term head hair specifically means scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The drug testing procedure in the lab comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial handling of a sample upon entry into the lab's system. The process involves ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any supplementary data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment for substance consumption. Although Screening serves as an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive Screening result necessitates Confirmation for legal admissibility. All samples that test tentatively positive during Screening require further verification.
For samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluids, explaining why hair drug testing is notably complex.
The Confirmation of any positive Screening results is accomplished using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Positive samples are cleansed before confirmation according to necessity. Every stage from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
In East Lake, NC, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing, delivering unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers a longer detection window, ensuring thorough insights into past substance use.
Employers benefit significantly from hair testing as it identifies chronic drug use patterns rather than just recent use, which is crucial for maintaining workplace safety and compliance with drug policies.
One of the distinct advantages of hair follicle testing in East Lake, NC is its extended detection period, allowing drug use identification for up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe offers an in-depth view of an individual's substance use history.
This method proves beneficial for employers by providing a comprehensive overview of an applicant's or current employee's longer-term drug use patterns.
Hair follicle testing in East Lake, NC is a robust measure against sample tampering due to its inherent design, reducing the possibility of adulteration effectively. The test results are reliable and credible, providing peace of mind in their authenticity.
This secure testing method ensures that the integrity of the collected samples remains intact throughout the analysis process.
Our readily accessible testing centers across the country provide convenient testing services, with a presence in East Lake, NC ensuring that testing needs are met swiftly and with minimal hassle.
The nationwide network ensures that no matter where you are, professional drug testing services are never far away, making it easy for employers and individuals alike to maintain their testing schedules without inconvenience.
In East Lake, NC, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, from scheduling the test to receiving the results. Our approach addresses any privacy concerns and prioritizes user ease.
This simplicity ensures that individuals undergo testing without additional stress, with confidential handling of all personal data and results.
Affordable pricing structures combined with swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing in East Lake, NC a valuable choice for organizations of any size.
The competitive pricing ensures that businesses can maintain compliance and stay within budget, offering timely results that support swift decision-making and operational efficiency.
The hair follicle drug testing method offered in East Lake, NC stands out for its swift and precise results. Employers and individuals seeking assurance in detecting substance use will appreciate its dependable accuracy.
Its streamlined process guarantees rapid turnaround times, making it an unrivaled option for those prioritizing efficiency without compromising on the quality of the findings.
Employers in East Lake, NC achieve peace of mind through hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with zero-tolerance drug policies, minimizing legal risks, and enhancing workplace safety significantly.
Implementing this testing aids in sustaining a productive, drug-free work environment, which is crucial for operational efficiency and employee well-being.
