Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening is recognized as a compelling means to uncover drug and alcohol use. Hair strands capture a prolonged record of substances by holding biomarkers inside the strands' fibers as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection time frame of roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for evaluation and validation. For EtG and other additional tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Scalp hair refers strictly to hair on the head, while body hair encompasses all other forms (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing at the laboratory comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is first entered into the laboratory’s workflow. This step involves confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that wasn’t supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial evaluation to check for drug presence. Although Screening is an economical method to discount drug usage in most samples, a positive result calls for confirmation to be legally valid. Solid screens that show potential positivity need a follow-up confirmation.
In Screening, if a potential positive is identified, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. This phase involves pulling drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than found in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which accounts for why hair screening is a challenging task.
Confirmation of any positive screen outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. To ensure accuracy, all samples suggesting positivity are cleaned prior to confirmation. The thorough laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often labeled "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself and not the follicle under the scalp.
In Littleton, NC, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by providing unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing captures drug use over a longer period, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection windows. This extended range provides a clearer picture of an individual's substance history, offering employers and decision-makers substantial advantages.
Hair follicle testing in Littleton, NC, provides an extended detection window by revealing drug use over a 90-day period, a distinct advantage over shorter duration tests such as urine testing. This long-term detection equips employers with comprehensive insights into potential hires or current employees' substance use history.
In Littleton, NC, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests makes them a reliable choice for drug testing. Unlike some other methods, hair testing is resistant to contamination or tampering, ensuring that results are trustworthy and remain consistent, giving peace of mind to those who rely on them for accurate assessments.
Testing services in Littleton, NC, benefit from convenient nationwide testing locations. With centers spread across the country and locally accessible options, scheduling and accessing tests become simple and straightforward. The widespread reach ensures a hassle-free experience, no matter where you are.
In Littleton, NC, the procedure is simple and confidential, ensuring that participants can easily order, undertake, and receive their results without privacy concerns. The streamlined process addresses confidentiality and usability, making the testing experience seamless for all involved parties.
The drug testing services in Littleton, NC, boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. With competitive rates and quick processing, businesses, regardless of size, find excellent value and reassurance that their testing needs are met with efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The hair follicle drug test ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results in Littleton, NC. This testing method boasts exceptional precision, swiftly detecting drugs or alcohol with high reliability. The accuracy of hair tests contributes to their popularity, making them an essential tool for effective substance detection in comparison to other methods.
With hair follicle testing in Littleton, NC, comes compliance and peace of mind for employers. By aligning with drug-free policies, businesses reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety. This test exemplifies a commitment to maintaining a drug-free environment, easing concerns about compliance and potential liabilities.
