Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs over time by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection span of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, is relatively resistant to tampering, and can be easily sent.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands of hair (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests like EtG, add-ons, and ones that exceed ten panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair can't be provided, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. In this context, head hair exclusively denotes scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
At the Accessioning stage, a sample is initially processed into a lab's system. This phase involves ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry needed that wasn't supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial, rapid check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples presumed positive during Screening mandate further confirmation.
Should the initial Screening phase suggest a positive result, additional hair is taken from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening among the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation meeting ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test itself actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in Skyland, NC, with superior accuracy and reliability in substance detection.
Demonstrating greater detection capability, hair follicle tests provide a more reliable indication of drug use compared to conventional urine testing methods.
Employers in Skyland, NC benefit from hair follicle testing's extensive detection window. It reveals drug use patterns up to 90 days prior, offering a detailed view of an individual's substance history.
With a longer detection period, hair follicle testing presents employers with comprehensive insights into an employee's or candidate's substance use history, unmatched by other methods.
In Skyland, NC, the integrity of hair follicle tests minimizes chances of sample tampering, ensuring trustworthy and accurate results.
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces risks of adulterated samples, providing reliable outcomes in a method resistant to tampering and cheating.
Our widespread locations ensure testing is easily accessible in Skyland, NC. Whether local or elsewhere, nationwide centers provide convenient, quick service.
The nationwide network of testing centers, including in Skyland, NC, provides hassle-free and straightforward access for everyone in need of testing.
In Skyland, NC, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential, ensuring user privacy from ordering to receiving results.
An easy, discreet procedure guarantees privacy and ease of use for all individuals undergoing hair follicle testing in Skyland, NC.
In Skyland, NC, competitive pricing and quick results make hair follicle testing an appealing option for businesses, combining affordability with swift service.
Our competitive rates coupled with fast turnaround times offer excellent value, making hair follicle testing a practical choice for companies in Skyland, NC.
In Skyland, NC, hair follicle tests are celebrated for their quick, accurate, and dependable outcomes. Their ability to reliably detect substances makes them a top choice.
Speed and precision are key benefits of hair follicle drug tests, offering unmatched accuracy in detecting substance use and ensuring reliable results fast.
Ensuring compliance with drug-free policies, hair follicle testing provides peace of mind for employers in Skyland, NC, reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety.
Rely on hair follicle testing in Skyland, NC for secure adherence to workplace standards and a supportive, risk-free environment.