Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Highlands, North Carolina. For those in need of a hair-based drug or alcohol test, we've got specialized expertise and testing facilities across the nation capable of conducting these tests. Ideally, you should have 1.5 to 2 inches of hair on the crown or body hair could be used. Hair tests can identify drugs, alcohol/ETG, or allow for tailored testing solutions.
In recent trends, drug testing methods increasingly favor hair follicle analysis. Many companies, judicial systems, and substance abuse experts now prefer hair drug tests over the traditional urine tests. Organizations with strict anti-drug policies, legal entities, and probationers are increasingly turning to hair follicle testing. The key advantage of using hair testing is its superior detection timeframe, capturing up to 90 days of drug use with observation, making it nearly tamper-proof. Urine tests, however, remain most effective for identifying drug use within the last 5 days.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drug use by sequestering biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, this method can extend the detection period up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately matching the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. "Head hair" refers specifically to hair from the scalp, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in the lab processing of drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step in incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any additional data entry not covered by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although it is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive Screen result must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Presumptive positive samples identified during Screening must undergo further confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower density compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods conduct confirmation of any positive screen results. Before confirmation, all samples confirmed as presumptively positive are washed when necessary. The whole process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Highlands, NC demonstrates enhanced detection capabilities. The advantages lie in its accuracy and reliability, offering a broader window of detection and less risk of evasion, ensuring a more comprehensive assessment of drug use.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This provides a detailed view of an individual's substance use history, beneficial for employers in Highlands, NC who seek thorough insights into their applicants or employees.
The method of hair follicle testing substantially minimizes the chance of sample manipulation. This robust technique ensures reliable and indisputable results, essential for maintaining trust and integrity in drug testing processes in Highlands, NC.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to testing services through both nationwide and local locations in Highlands, NC. With our extensive network of testing centers, clients can easily access services with minimal hassle.
The hair follicle testing process in Highlands, NC is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, the procedure emphasizes privacy and user-friendliness, easing any concerns regarding confidentiality.
Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective pricing models alongside swift turnaround times, providing outstanding value for businesses of any size in Highlands, NC. This balance of affordability and efficiency supports companies in maintaining a safe work environment.
The efficiency and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests provide quick and reliable results, making them an excellent choice for drug testing in Highlands, NC. With superior precision, hair testing accurately detects substance use, ensuring employers maintain a drug-free workplace.
Employers in Highlands, NC benefit from hair follicle testing's ability to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This, in turn, reduces potential legal pitfalls and enhances the overall safety and productivity of the workplace environment.
