Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as a significant resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers up to roughly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A segment measuring 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional checks, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's recommended to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. In context, head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the introductory processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. It includes verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to be legally admissible. Any samples with presumptive positive results during Screening require subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample have a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is among the most challenging methodologies.
A positive result in Screening is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples reflecting presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Fair Bluff, NC, showcases marked superiority over urine tests through extended detection accuracy. Its superior reliability and inability to be compromised make it a preferred choice, providing clear advantages over traditional urine tests still commonly relied upon for shorter detection windows.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Fair Bluff, NC, offers a comprehensive look at substance history. This test is highly valuable for employers seeking long-term insights, emphasizing its effectiveness in delivering a detailed view into an individual’s substance use background.
Hair follicle tests in Fair Bluff, NC, provide a tamper-resistant approach to drug testing. These tests significantly minimize risks of sample adulteration, offering assurance with reliable, unquestionable outcomes. Their integrity and security make them a trusted method for accurate substance screening.
Our Fair Bluff, NC, locations, coupled with nationwide centers, offer unparalleled convenience for quick testing. This wide availability ensures hassle-free, swift access to necessary services, simplifying the process and accommodating diverse scheduling needs.
In Fair Bluff, NC, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease. From ordering to receiving results, the user-friendly nature of the service addresses privacy concerns, guaranteeing comfort and simplicity throughout.
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Fair Bluff, NC, make drug testing services affordable. We ensure value and peace of mind, offering cost-effective solutions to businesses of any size, with a focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction.
In Fair Bluff, NC, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and precision, offering accurate insights into drug use. Accurate detection is a hallmark of this method, ensuring diligent results quickly. Its ability to swiftly analyze substances brings reliability and confidence to testing processes.
Employers in Fair Bluff, NC, benefit from peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances safety policies, providing compliance assurance and fostering a safe work environment.
