Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Whether your need is for a hair-based drug or alcohol test, Accredited Drug Testing is equipped with national testing locations to conduct these specialized hair exams. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body is needed. These tests can be customized to detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other substances.
In recent developments, hair follicle drug testing has gained popularity over traditional methods. Many employers, legal entities, and Substance Abuse professionals now request hair testing as an alternative to urine tests. Employers with strict no-tolerance policies, court systems, and probationary programs see the value in hair drug tests. A principal advantage is the extended detection window of up to 90 days, ensuring accuracy and reducing cheating possibilities. However, urine tests remain preferable for recent 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.
Hair examinations have increasingly been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers in growing hair strands trap biomarkers, offering a retrospective view of alcohol and drug usage. When collected from the scalp, hair samples can detect substances over approximately a three-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
To obtain an ideal specimen for screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp provides 100mg, which is ideal. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, collecting an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. The term head hair denotes scalp hair alone, whereas body hair pertains to all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test samples involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the preliminary stage of entering a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While it serves as an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a confirmed positive result is required for legal admissibility. Samples indicating presumptive positivity during Screening mandate additional confirmation.
For samples flagged as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair from the initial sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
A positive result from Screening is confirmed through processes like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, right from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," these assessments actually analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Lake Lure, NC, hair follicle drug tests demonstrate clear advantages over traditional urine tests. One reason is their ability to detect drug residue within the hair shaft, which provides a more permanent record of past usage.
Urine tests, while common, have limitations in their detection window. Hair tests, on the other hand, provide a broader view of an individual's drug history, making them superior in offering a reliable perspective of substance use.
Employers in Lake Lure, NC, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window. Unlike other testing methods, hair analysis can reveal drug use history going back as far as 90 days.
This broader detection period enables employers to obtain a complete view of an individual's substance use, which is crucial for making informed and confident hiring decisions.
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature, especially in Lake Lure, NC. This method significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, unlike urinary tests, which can be more easily compromised.
With hair testing, the integrity of the results is maintained, ensuring that the outcome is both reliable and definitive, which is invaluable for both employers and testing agencies.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including in Lake Lure, NC. This ensures that accessing testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free.
Both local and nationwide availability of testing centers means that individuals and employers have a straightforward path to obtaining the tests they require efficiently.
The process of undergoing a hair follicle test in Lake Lure, NC, is made simple and confidential. From ordering to test-taking, and eventually receiving results, each step is designed with privacy and ease of use in mind.
Ensuring confidentiality while maintaining an uncomplicated testing process is a priority, thus providing participants with assurance and convenience.
In Lake Lure, NC, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures alongside quick turnaround times. This ensures that companies of any size gain excellent value for their investment.
Fast and affordable results enable businesses to proceed with confidence, ensuring they meet necessary requirements without exceeding budget constraints.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Lake Lure, NC, ensure that results are both timely and accurate. These tests excel in quickly detecting the presence of substances, providing reliable results for both employers and individuals.
Compared to other methods, hair follicle testing offers unparalleled accuracy. This is vital in maintaining a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use history. Quick and precise testing means making informed decisions with confidence.
In Lake Lure, NC, hair follicle testing provides employers with compliance assurance with workplace drug-free policies. This method aids in reducing legal risks while enhancing safety in the work environment.
Employers gain peace of mind, knowing that the testing process aligns with necessary regulations, thus helping maintain a secure and compliant workplace atmosphere.
