Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fletcher, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair entraps biomarkers in its growing strands, offering a prolonged account of substance use. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use for up to a three-month duration. Collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is perfect for testing and validation. For EtG, extended panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for measurement is suggested. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. Reference to head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary process involving the integration of a sample into a laboratory's database. This step verifies the appropriate sealing and transport of the sample, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting additional data not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides an initial, swift assessment for drug abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug usage for most samples, any positive result from Screening necessitates verification for legal validity. Samples that are tentatively positive at Screening require follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample test tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to undergo Extraction. This stage involves retrieving drugs from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any detected positive from screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the laboratory process is overseen in accordance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify substance use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Testing integrity: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Chronological data: It can indicate drug use patterns over an extended timeframe, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Higher expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur more cost than alternative methods.
• Result variation: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth differences might influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the examination analyzes hair strands, not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fletcher, NC, hair follicle testing holds an edge over traditional urine tests by offering extended detection capabilities. Hair tests can uncover traces of drug use that urine tests might miss, due to their limited detection windows.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing in Fletcher ensures a broader detection range, allowing for a more thorough review of substance use history. Employers benefit from the superior reliability and accuracy that hair testing presents.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug testing in Fletcher, NC offers an extensive detection window of up to 90 days. This enables employers to gain a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

By analyzing hair samples, employers can understand the long-term drug use patterns, providing valuable insights that urine tests, with their shorter detection periods, cannot offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Fletcher, NC ensures reliability. Unlike other methods, the risk of adulterating samples is significantly reduced, providing employers with unquestionable results.

By utilizing hair testing, organizations can trust that the outcomes are genuine, helping maintain integrity in the testing process and reinforcing confidence in the decisions based on these results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Fletcher, NC benefits from convenient Nationwide testing centers by Accredited Drug Testing, providing quick and easy access. Our centers ensure the process is hassle-free, tailored for efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Whether local or national, our centers are equipped to handle your testing needs swiftly and effectively, ensuring that services are readily accessible when you need them most.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Fletcher, NC is simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results is streamlined to address privacy and ensure ease of use for all involved.

Confidentiality is paramount, providing individuals and employers the assurance that their information remains secure while navigating the testing process seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Fletcher, NC, our hair follicle drug testing offers affordable pricing with fast turnaround times. Businesses of all sizes benefit from our competitive rates that deliver excellent value.

Rapid result delivery ensures that decisions can be made efficiently, allowing employers to focus on core operations while maintaining cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests in Fletcher, NC are unmatched. High accuracy in detecting substance use provides reliable results, significantly enhancing trust in the testing process.

These tests are designed to deliver fast and accurate findings, ensuring that employers receive timely and dependable insights into an individual's drug use history, offering peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Fletcher, NC, using hair follicle testing helps ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method significantly reduces legal risks, bolstering business integrity and safety.

Employers adopting hair testing promote a safer work environment and gain peace of mind by adhering to rigorous drug testing standards, supporting a healthier workplace culture.

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