Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an invaluable method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The strands of hair create a comprehensive archive of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers within the growing fibers. When hair closest to the scalp is collected, it offers up to a 90-day window for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair samples are easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair segment of 1.5 inches in length, containing around 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil), yields approximately 100mg, which is the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests involving EtG, additional testing, or over 10-panel tests, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers to scalp hair specifically, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Four critical stages comprise the laboratory processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab's system, including verification that it was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any requisite data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Though cost-efficient for excluding drug use in the majority of samples, only confirmed positive screens hold validity in legal settings. Thus, any sample testing positive in the Screening phase undergoes secondary verification.
Samples with presumptive positives in the Screening process have more hair taken from the original batch, prepared for Extraction, where substances are extracted at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid). This makes hair drug screening exceptionally complex.
Confirmation of positive screenings employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washes before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", this assessment focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the skin.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Sparta, NC, the benefits are clear. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, extending beyond the limitations of standard urine tests. The thorough nature of hair testing ensures more dependable results, making it a preferable choice.
In Sparta, NC, hair follicle testing presents a longer detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to gain profound insights into an individual’s drug-use behavior, proving invaluable for comprehensive background assessments.
Hair follicle testing in Sparta, NC, is designed to significantly minimize the likelihood of tampering. This method is resistant to common adulteration tactics, ensuring that the results accurately reflect true substance use, providing peace of mind with unquestionable integrity.
Accredited Drug Testing facilitates convenient access to testing services with a network of nationwide and local testing sites in Sparta, NC. This ensures that testing is swift and straightforward, removing potential barriers and complications from the process.
In Sparta, NC, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Customers can order, take their test, and receive results effortlessly, all while respecting their privacy—addressing any concerns about ease and confidentiality in the process.
In Sparta, NC, Accredited Drug Testing proudly offers competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times. This affordability, coupled with fast processing, ensures companies of all sizes receive great value, reinforcing confidence and ease for everyone involved.
In Sparta, NC, hair follicle drug tests are the epitome of fast and accurate results. They deliver precise readings, ensuring that substance use is detected efficiently. The accuracy of hair tests surpasses traditional methods, highlighting their role as a reliable means of drug testing.
For employers in Sparta, NC, hair follicle testing offers a path to peace of mind. By integrating these tests, they maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing legal uncertainties and enhancing overall workplace safety standards.
