Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a detailed history of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional substances, or over 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. Note that when mentioning head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into a laboratory's system. This phase ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry that the electronic chain of custody system does not cover.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid test for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be legally acceptable. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", these assessments analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior benefits in Rennert, NC. The efficiency of hair testing outshines traditional methods due to its extensive detection period and difficulty to tamper with. While urine tests might only identify recent substance use, hair tests detect usage over months, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's habits and ensuring reliable results.
Hair follicle testing in Rennert, NC, reveals drug use over a significant time frame, capturing evidence of consumption up to 90 days prior. This extensive detection window allows employers to gain a deep understanding of an applicant’s or employee’s substance history, ensuring a thorough evaluation that previous drug testing methods couldn't achieve, enhancing workplace safety.
In Rennert, NC, hair follicle tests are designed to substantially reduce the likelihood of sample manipulation. This tamper-resistant approach ensures authenticity and accuracy in the results, thereby providing reliable, unbiased outcomes that employers and institutions can trust, fundamentally changing how drug testing is approached and maintained.
The accessibility of testing through our widely available centers in Rennert, NC, and around the nation, guarantees fast and convenient services. With numerous locations, obtaining necessary tests becomes a simple, hassle-free process, ensuring clients can access the required examinations without extended wait times or logistical barriers.
Featuring a streamlined and confidential process in Rennert, NC, ordering, administering, and receiving results of hair follicle tests have never been easier. We address privacy concerns efficiently, ensuring all stages of the process are kept straightforward and secured, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality required by our clients.
Rennert, NC benefits from our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery for hair follicle testing. Our affordability does not compromise quality, making it possible for businesses of all sizes to access dependable testing services. These factors combined provide unmatched value and peace of mind for prudent decision making.
Hair follicle drug testing in Rennert, NC offers unmatched precision and speed. The high accuracy of these tests ensures reliable detection of substance use, setting a benchmark in the industry for quick, accurate outcomes. By providing detailed insights into a person’s drug history, these tests assist in making informed decisions rapidly, minimizing delays in crucial evaluations.
Employers in Rennert, NC can achieve compliance with workplace drug policies through hair follicle testing. This method ensures safety and significantly lowers potential legal risks, as it adheres to strict guidelines that support drug-free environments. By implementing these tests, organizations foster a more secure workforce and assure a safe working atmosphere.
