Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective means for detecting substance use, encompassing both drugs and alcohol. It offers an extended timeframe for tracing alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in hair fibers as they grow. Hair taken near the scalp can indicate drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. Its collection is easy, with minimal tampering potential, and it is convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg samples are advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. When scalp hair is unavailable, equivalent body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory evaluation of a drug test outcome involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the preliminary handling of a specimen within a laboratory framework. It involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and dispatch, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening implies a preliminary rapid evaluation for substance misuse. While efficient for excluding drug presence in most samples, a positive outcome in Screening needs validation for legal admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If screening indicates a presumptively positive result, more hair is extracted for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the intricate nature of hair drug testing.
The validation of any positive screening readout is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positives undergo washing as part of the confirmation process. The entire sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, with certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Rich Square, NC, hair follicle testing offers greater accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests can review substance use over an extended period, providing a comprehensive history. Thus, hair testing surpasses urine testing, becoming a preferred method for thorough analysis.
In Rich Square, NC, one significant advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This extended timeframe allows employers to gain better insights into an individual's substance use history, ensuring informed decisions on hiring or maintaining employment, with confidence in the results provided.
Hair follicle testing in Rich Square, NC, stands out due to its tamper-resistant nature. The testing method drastically minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration, providing trustworthy outcomes. Consequently, results obtained through hair testing are reliable and unalterable, ensuring integrity and trustworthiness.
In Rich Square, NC, our clients enjoy nationwide and local testing locations designed for convenience. Tested individuals benefit from quick and hassle-free access to testing services, demonstrating a strong commitment to service flexibility and extensive reach, seamlessly meeting everyone's needs.
Turning to hair follicle testing in Rich Square, NC, ensures a simple and confidential process. The ease of ordering, collecting, and receiving results respects privacy concerns, offering a straightforward experience that clients value and trust given its sensitivity and confidentiality.
Rich Square, NC firms appreciate our affordable pricing and swift turnaround. By providing competitive pricing structures coupled with rapid results delivery, we present companies of all sizes with a value-for-money proposition and peace of mind in dealing with their substance testing requirements.
For the residents of Rich Square, NC, hair follicle drug testing ensures fast and precise results. Its remarkable efficiency and reliability make it a top choice for detecting substance use accurately. With advanced testing methodologies, individuals receive timely reports that influence decisions significantly, maintaining the standard of excellence.
Employers in Rich Square, NC, achieve compliance and peace of mind by opting for hair follicle testing. This method safeguards adherence to workplace drug-free policies while simultaneously reducing legal liabilities, thus enhancing safety and productivity in the work environment.
