Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extensive record of substance use by sequestering biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When taken near the scalp, a hair sample can indicate up to around a 3-month detection timeframe for substances like alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches in length, consisting of about 200 strands (approximately matching the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG assessments, additional checks, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Overview of the Process
The four primary phases in the lab analysis of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning handles the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s database. This step involves confirmation that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data input absent from an electronic custody chain.
Screening entails an introductory rapid assay for illicit substances. While it provides a cost-effective strategy for excluding drug use in most specimens, any positive screen demands confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate further verification.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair from the original sample is extracted and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower levels than in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.
Verification of any positive screening outcome employs methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as required. The full lab sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Hair drug testing benefits include:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly termed “hair follicle tests”, the assessment actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing is Preferred: In the evaluation of drugs, hair testing in Roxboro, NC stands out against traditional urine testing.
Prolonged Detection Capability: A hallmark of hair follicle testing in Roxboro, NC is its expansive detection window of up to three months.
Secure Testing Procedure: Hair follicle assessments in Roxboro, NC are exceptionally tamper-resistant.
Accessible Testing Centers: Roxboro, NC benefits from a network of testing locations across the nation, ensuring easy accessibility.
Simplified Confidential Process: In Roxboro, NC, the hair follicle testing journey is straightforward and discreet.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Roxboro, NC ensures great value.
Speed and Reliability: Hair follicle testing in Roxboro, NC offers swift, dependable outcomes. This method boasts high precision, effectively identifying substances.
Assurance through Compliance: For employers in Roxboro, NC, hair follicle testing aligns with stringent drug-free policies.
