Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Over time, hair testing has emerged as a significant asset in identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair serves as a chronicled record for alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair that are actively growing. When obtained near the scalp, such hair can offer a detection window for substances lasting up to roughly 3 months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it is fairly resistant to tampering, and it is convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprised of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp amounts to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or extensive panel tests beyond 10, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent portion of body hair can be obtained. When we refer to head hair, it implies scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug tests is structured into four crucial phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning step involves incorporating a sample into the laboratory’s workflow. This step entails ensuring that the sample has been appropriately sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing any outstanding data input not covered by an electronic custody system.
The Screening phase is a preliminary, efficient assessment for the presence of illicit substances. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug presence in many samples, a positive Screen must be corroborated for court validity. Any Screening-positive samples necessitate subsequent confirmation.
Upon receiving a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than seen in alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is a complex procedure.
The Confirmation stage of any screening-positive result is executed utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The entirety of the laboratory's process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, along with ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Reasons Hair Testing Excels Over Urine Testing:
In Scaly Mountain, NC, hair follicle testing provides significant advantages over traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, hair testing offers a reliable, long-term view of an individual's substance use history, unmatched by other testing methods.
Extended Detection Window:
Employers in Scaly Mountain, NC benefit from the extensive detection period offered by hair follicle testing. This method identifies drug use up to 90 days prior, allowing employers to understand an applicant or employee's substance use more comprehensively than any other test.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method:
Hair follicle tests in Scaly Mountain, NC minimize the chances of sample tampering. Their design ensures reliability and provides results you can trust, reducing the possibility of interference or manipulation during the testing process.
Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations:
With the convenience of numerous testing centers nationwide, including in Scaly Mountain, NC, accessing drug testing services is both hassle-free and straightforward. This extensive network guarantees easy reach and quick service for the community.
Simple, Confidential Process:
The process for hair follicle testing in Scaly Mountain, NC is both simple and confidential. This ensures that individuals can undergo testing with ease, maintaining privacy and enjoying a smooth, stress-free experience throughout the procedure.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround:
In Scaly Mountain, NC, we offer competitive pricing structures paired with rapid result times. These aspects provide excellent value without compromising on quality, ensuring satisfaction for businesses of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results:
Scaly Mountain, NC residents can count on the efficiency of hair follicle drug tests. These tests are known for their quick and precise detection abilities, offering a dependable method for identifying substance use. The high accuracy of hair testing contributes greatly to its growing prevalence.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers:
For businesses in Scaly Mountain, NC, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces legal risks but also fosters a safer work environment, offering peace of mind to employers and employees alike.
