Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strands capture biomarkers, providing an extended record of usage with a potential detection timeframe of up to three months when gathered near the scalp. The collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch length of up to 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields an optimal sample size of 100mg for analysis. For EtG and specialty requests or tests exceeding 10 panels, procuring 150mg of the hair specimen is advisable. A jeweler’s scale can be used for precise weighing. If scalp hair can't be accessed, a similar quantity of body hair serves as an alternative. Mention of head hair pertains strictly to scalp hair; body hair encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test result in a laboratory is comprised of four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system, which ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and manages any supplementary data entry not captured by the electronic custody system.
The Screening stage involves a preliminary assessment for drugs. It is an economical way to eliminate drug usage in the majority of cases, but results indicating potential drug use require thorough validation to stand in court. Sample confirmations are mandatory for those testing positive in Screening.
Should a presumptive positive arise during Screening, additional hair is utilized for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.
For each positive screening result, Confirmation is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process, spanning Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under rigorous standards of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Light Oak, NC: Hair follicle tests manifest superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests, making it a preferable choice among employers looking for definitive drug use analysis.
The advantage of hair testing lies in its capability to uncover substance use over several months, unlike urine testing, which is limited to recent consumption, thus providing comprehensive insights into an individual’s drug history.
Extended Detection Window in Light Oak, NC: Hair follicle testing offers an expanded detection window, revealing drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This long-term insight helps employers to gain a broader perspective on the individual’s substance use habits.
By extending beyond the limitations of short-term testing, hair follicle analysis provides clarity and detail about past substance exposure, facilitating more informed decision-making for employment purposes.
Tamper-Resistant Testing in Light Oak, NC: Hair follicle tests employ an inherently tamper-resistant methodology, diminishing the potential for sample adulteration and manipulation, thereby ensuring result integrity.
This form of testing is engineered to withstand common evasion tactics, offering reliable and unquestionable outcomes that stand up under scrutiny, which is critical in environments where accuracy is paramount.
Convenient Testing Locations in Light Oak, NC: Accredited Drug Testing provides flexibility with conveniently located centers nationally and locally, ensuring straightforward access to hair drug testing services.
With an extensive network, customers enjoy the ease of nearby locations that facilitate quick and hassle-free testing processes, accommodating various schedules and needs efficiently.
Simple and Confidential Process in Light Oak, NC: Our process is designed to be straightforward and discreet, addressing concerns regarding privacy while maintaining ease of order and access to results.
From the initial scheduling to the receipt of results, customers can rely on a seamless process guaranteed to maintain confidentiality throughout, offering peace of mind and convenience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Light Oak, NC: We offer competitive pricing alongside rapid turnaround times, providing excellent service value suited for businesses of all sizes.
This economic approach, coupled with swift delivery of results, assists companies in making informed decisions promptly without compromising on service quality or accuracy.
Fast and Accurate Detection in Light Oak, NC: The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing set it apart. With a robust mechanism that accurately identifies substance use, this method becomes invaluable for those seeking reliable results promptly.
Employing sophisticated techniques, hair testing ensures high accuracy, empowering organizations and individuals with trustworthy information. The speed of results further emphasizes its efficiency making it a go-to choice for drug testing needs.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Light Oak, NC: Using hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug policies, ensuring compliance and reducing potential legal risks, ultimately fostering a safer work environment.
Employers benefit significantly from the assurance that their drug testing protocol effectively mitigates the risks associated with substance abuse at work, enhancing productivity and workplace morale.
