Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments are recognized as an effective means for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lasting record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use for approximately three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil size) near the scalp offers 100mg, ideal for analyzing and verifying. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is preferred. We advise weighing the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The key laboratory processing steps for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial sample integration into the lab system. It involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data requirements absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid drug abuse check. While Screening cost-effectively excludes drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples with potential positive results from Screening need confirmatory testing.
In cases of potential positivity during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is used for Extraction. Drugs are retrieved from hair at reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair testing the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening relies on GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Laurinburg, the superiority of hair follicle testing over urine tests lies in its thorough detection capabilities. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair tests offer a broader window of insight into substance use due to their extended detection period. The accuracy and reliability of hair testing make it an invaluable tool for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free environment.
Employers in Laurinburg value hair follicle testing for its extensive detection window, which can reveal substance use history extending up to 90 days. This gives organizations a comprehensive view of an employee's past behavior, thereby aiding in informed decision-making and robust workplace policy enforcement.
Hair follicle testing in Laurinburg greatly minimizes the risk of tampering with samples, offering employers certainty and confidence in the results. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are resistant to adulteration, which makes them a reliable option for detecting genuine substance use.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations not just nationwide, but also right in Laurinburg. With our widespread network of centers, accessing testing services is both quick and easy, providing you with efficient and hassle-free service, wherever you are located.
Our testing process in Laurinburg is straightforward and confidential, ensuring comfort and privacy from order to result. Individuals can easily navigate the testing procedure, assured their privacy is protected, and enjoy the simplicity and ease of access to their results.
Accredited Drug Testing in Laurinburg prides itself on competitive pricing along with swift service delivery. Our affordable rates and rapid turnaround make our testing an appealing option for businesses of various sizes, providing outstanding value and reassurance.
Hair follicle drug tests in Laurinburg are celebrated for delivering fast, accurate, and dependable results. The precision with which these tests identify substance use ensures that employers receive timely and reliable information. This high level of accuracy guarantees that decisions based on test results reflect the true status of an individual’s substance usage.
For Laurinburg employers, hair follicle tests provide compliance assurance and a sense of security in maintaining drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and fostering a safe work environment, these tests help bolster organizational confidence and operational effectiveness.
