Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronicler of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of expanding hair strands. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal usage up to a 3-month timespan for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to send.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, an equivalent volume of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" pertains only to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the introductory processing of a sample into a lab’s framework. This process checks that the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional data not found in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to eliminate most samples from drug use, a positive screen must be confirmed for court acceptance. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is removed from the original specimen for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most intricate method to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and is certified to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Fort Bragg, NC, hair follicle drug tests stand superior to traditional urine tests. Hair testing boasts a much longer detection duration, offering up to 90 days of substance use history. This makes it a valuable tool over urine testing, which can only detect recent use. The unmatched accuracy and reliability of hair tests provide a compelling argument for their adoption in diverse professional scenarios.
Employers in Fort Bragg, NC, benefit from the extended detection period offered by hair follicle testing. Covering up to 90 days of drug use history, these tests provide a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. This vast detection window is a vital feature, as it lets employers accurately gauge long-term drug use beyond the reach of typical tests.
Hair follicle tests in Fort Bragg, NC, are renowned for their resistance to tampering. The inherent qualities of hair samples complicate attempts to adulterate results, ensuring that the accuracy and validity of the outcomes remain uncompromised. This tamper-proof nature makes hair testing a trusted choice for both employers and legal entities.
With convenient local and nationwide testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing ensures hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services in Fort Bragg, NC, and beyond. Our wide-reaching network allows for quick and easy testing, facilitating efficient drug testing procedures no matter your location, streamlining the process for both employers and individuals.
Our process in Fort Bragg, NC is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. Clients can feel secure knowing their information is handled with discretion and the process is straightforward, ensuring a stress-free testing experience.
Offering competitive pricing structures, our hair follicle testing in Fort Bragg, NC, assures affordable options without compromising quality. Our facilities cater to companies of all sizes, providing fast turnaround times that deliver exceptional value, ensuring peace of mind with cost-effective, efficient services.
The precision and quick results of hair follicle testing are unmatched in Fort Bragg, NC. Hair testing not only identifies drug use with incredible accuracy but also does so swiftly, making it a preferred choice among various testing methods. This enhanced reliability ensures that employers receive precise and prompt information regarding substance use among employees.
Hair follicle testing provides employers in Fort Bragg, NC, with more than just drug detection; it assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, these tests offer a peace of mind unmatched by other testing methods, supporting a healthier, more productive work environment.
