Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of continuously growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of about 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. Mention of head hair exclusively pertains to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. It serves as an economical method to discount drug use in most samples; however, a positive screening result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually involves the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing lead the way over urine testing in Laurel Park, NC? Enhanced Detection: Hair tests surpass urine with up to 90 days of historical drug use analysis.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Laurel Park, NC, is unmatched.
In Laurel Park, NC, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant solution.
Access testing with ease in Laurel Park, NC, thanks to our nationwide and local centers.
Our hair follicle testing process in Laurel Park, NC, is simple and confidential.
In Laurel Park, NC, our hair follicle testing boasts affordable pricing and a fast turnaround.
In Laurel Park, NC, the hair follicle test is renowned for its fast, precise, and reliable results.
Hair follicle testing grants employers in Laurel Park, NC, compliance and peace of mind.
