Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Lake, NC

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

11 Hair Drug Testing Centers in East Lake

Minutes Away, Test Today

4923 S Croatan Hwy19.66 miles

4923 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC 27959

5565 N Croatan Hwy19.95 miles

5565 N Croatan Hwy
Southern Shores, NC 27949

5200 N Croatan Hwy19.95 miles

5200 N Croatan Hwy
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

5200 N Croatan Hwy Ste 419.95 miles

5200 N Croatan Hwy Ste 4
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

615 S Hughes Blvd31.94 miles

615 S Hughes Blvd
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

201 Mill St Ste A32.42 miles

201 Mill St Ste A
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

600 S Church St34.51 miles

600 S Church St
Hertford, NC 27944

201 Virginia Rd38.18 miles

201 Virginia Rd
Edenton, NC 27932

1006 Us Highway 64 E42.94 miles

1006 Us Highway 64 E
Plymouth, NC 27962

958 Us Highway 64 E Attn Lab44.35 miles

958 Us Highway 64 E Attn Lab
Plymouth, NC 27962

166 E Water St44.36 miles

166 E Water St
Belhaven, NC 27810

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in East Lake, North Carolina. If a hair drug or alcohol test is required, Accredited Drug Testing is proficient in hair analysis and operates testing facilities in cities across the nation that can conduct such tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body can be used. Hair samples can be assessed for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or tailored testing options.

In recent times, drug testing methods have increasingly incorporated hair follicle drug tests. A growing number of employers, court systems, and Substance Abuse professionals favor hair testing over traditional urine testing. Hair follicle drug tests are preferred by employers with zero-tolerance policies, courts, and probation officers. Key advantages of hair testing include extended detection periods, generally lasting up to 90 days, observation during collection, and difficulty in tampering. However, urine tests remain most effective for detecting substances used within the past 5 days.

What it is, How it works

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:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
  • Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to manipulate, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
  • Tracks historical usage: It records a timeline of drug consumption over an extended period, unlike tests that only detect recent use.

Limitations:

  • Incapable of detecting recent intake: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
  • Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other drug testing options.
  • Variability in outcomes: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

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.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

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.

Extended Detection Window

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.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

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.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

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.

Simple, Confidential Process

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, Fast Turnaround

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.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

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.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

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.

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.


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Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

Customer Reviews

Sweet and helpful

Trish was amazing and got me through the sytem very fast and swift. I had a hard time hearing her a couple of times, but she was super sweet and helpful throughout the process. Highly recommend her!

Sophia Schutze - 6/19/2024

Quick, knowledgeable and courteous

Quick, knowledgeable and courteous Janelle worked diligently to support me. I am recommending their services to anyone looking.

Greensboro Joseph - 11/19/2024

Very Fun and Easy

Trish last week and Tatiana this week, very fun and easy folks to deal with. Well be using them more and more in the future.

Tom O - 12/19/2024


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