Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means of identifying substance and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair capture biomarker evidence within the fibers, offering an extended timeline of drug and alcohol history. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period reaching up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. The simplicity of collection, relative difficulty to tamper with, and ease of transport make hair testing advantageous.
A sample size of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately akin to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional considerations, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is advisable to collect 150mg. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data inputs not encompassed by an electronic custody tracking system.
Screening offers a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Though cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed to ensure courtroom acceptability. Any samples presumed positive in Screening require further Confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drug compounds are isolated from hair at a markedly lower concentration relative to other methodologies (for instance, urine or saliva), marking hair analysis as the most complex to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing prior to Confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as “hair follicle tests”, the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing provides several advantages over traditional urine testing. In Pembroke, NC, the extended detection period of hair tests significantly surpasses that of urine tests, ensuring higher accuracy and reliability. Hair tests are ideal for detecting long-term substance use, offering insights that urine tests cannot match.
This makes them a preferred choice for thorough background checks.
The distinctive characteristic of hair follicle testing is its extensive detection window. In Pembroke, NC, these tests can reveal drug use history up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. Such lengthy detection provides substantial advantages over shorter-term testing methods.
Employers gain valuable insight into long-term substance use.
Significantly reducing sample tampering, hair follicle tests offer dependable and unquestionable results in Pembroke, NC. Their resistance to adulteration ensures reliable data, thereby enhancing trust in the process and findings.
This assurance makes hair testing a robust option for any drug screening needs.
In Pembroke, NC, our numerous testing centers highlight the convenience of nationwide testing. We ensure quick and hassle-free access to services, offering seamless testing solutions that fit into anyone's schedule.
Such widespread availability ensures that everyone can access testing services without delay.
The simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing in Pembroke, NC, assures privacy and ease. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be straightforward, addressing concerns about confidentiality effectively.
This simplicity provides confidence and comfort to those undergoing testing.
With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Pembroke, NC offers excellent value for all businesses. Our affordable pricing structure enables companies of all sizes to benefit from top-tier testing without breaking the bank, alongside rapid result processing.
Affordability and speed are assured for every customer.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them highly sought after in Pembroke, NC. These tests boast remarkable accuracy in detecting substance use, offering fast and reliable results. The technology ensures quick turnover of insights essential for making informed decisions.
Employers and individuals benefit from these rapid and trustworthy testing options.
In Pembroke, NC, hair follicle testing is pivotal in maintaining compliance with workplace drug policies. Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced workplace safety, knowing that their workforce is monitored by high-standard testing measures.
Ultimately, this results in greater peace of mind for business owners and employees alike.
