Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a detailed history of alcohol and other substances by holding biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands. When taken close to the skin, hair provides up to a roughly 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and it is convenient for transport.
Acquiring a 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the skin will yield 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings above 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other varieties (such as facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Summary
The key phases in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample into the laboratory framework. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid test for substance misuse. While this method is a cost-effective approach to eliminating the likelihood of drug use in most samples, a positive finding must be verified to be considered valid in legal settings. Samples showing presumptive positives during Screening must undergo a secondary validation.
Should a sample test as presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.
Verification of any positive Screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes a washing step before final confirmation if required. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug analysis:
Drawbacks:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Jonesville, NC, surpasses urine tests with its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a broader detection range, unlike urine tests that only reflect recent drug use.
Employers and legal entities value this method for its ability to offer a more comprehensive understanding of substance use patterns, making it a preferred choice in maintaining drug-free environments.
In Jonesville, NC, hair follicle tests offer a much longer detection window—up to 90 days—compared to other methods. This extended timeframe gives employers a comprehensive insight into an individual’s substance use history.
With this capability, organizations can thoroughly evaluate the suitability of a candidate or monitor an employee's adherence to drug-free policies.
In Jonesville, NC, hair follicle tests significantly cut the risk of sample tampering, ensuring trustworthy results. Unlike urine tests, which can be adulterated, hair tests are almost impossible to manipulate.
This robust testing method provides confidence to employers and judicial systems by delivering undisputed results that are reliable and consistent.
Jonesville, NC enjoys convenient access to numerous nationwide Accredited Drug Testing centers, facilitating quick and straightforward testing services.
Whether locally or across the nation, our testing centers streamline the process for clients, ensuring a hassle-free experience with easy accessibility to vital testing requirements.
The hair follicle testing process in Jonesville, NC is both straightforward and confidential, ensuring a seamless experience from ordering to receiving results. Emphasizing privacy, our process is designed to cater to clients’ needs efficiently, providing peace of mind through secure handling of sensitive information, without compromising ease of access or accuracy.
Accredited Drug Testing in Jonesville, NC, provides competitive pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle tests, ensuring excellent value. Our efficient processes deliver fast results, catering to businesses of all sizes seeking cost-effective, reliable solutions to meet their drug testing needs without any compromise on service quality.
In Jonesville, NC, hair follicle drug tests are known for their swift and precise results. This testing method excels in accurately identifying substance use, ensuring employers receive reliable data on drug consumption patterns.
With the efficiency of these tests, organizations can make quicker decisions to maintain a responsible work environment and meet compliance standards effectively.
Employers in Jonesville, NC, benefit from the assurance that hair follicle testing supports workplace drug policies efficiently. This method reduces legal risks, ensuring compliance and enhancing workplace safety through guaranteed detection of long-term substance use.
It provides peace of mind to companies committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace environment.
