Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is widely regarded as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can offer approximately a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we refer strictly to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The key stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-effective way to eliminate drug usage concerns in most samples, any positive result needs confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening warrant a secondary confirmation.
If a sample yields a presumptive positive result at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. This phase extracts drugs from hair at a far lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening findings is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Tests in Spring Lake, NC
Hair follicle tests offer a superior edge over traditional urine tests in Spring Lake, NC. With an extensive detection window and high accuracy, hair tests provide reliable results that are not easily tampered with, unlike urine tests. This makes them the preferred choice for employers aiming for thorough monitoring of substance use.
Extended Detection Capabilities in Spring Lake, NC
Employers in Spring Lake, NC, benefit from hair follicle testing's ability to reveal substance use habits over a long period, up to 90 days. This extended detection window is invaluable, offering a comprehensive view of a person's drug history, thus assisting in ensuring a drug-free workplace.
Reliable, Tamper-Resistant Testing in Spring Lake, NC
Hair follicle testing in Spring Lake, NC, significantly lowers the chances of sample adulteration. With observed collection procedures and difficulty in altering hair samples, the test provides trustworthy results, crucial for maintaining integrity in drug testing processes.
Convenient Testing Locations in Spring Lake, NC
In Spring Lake, NC, Accredited Drug Testing offers wide accessibility with nationwide centers, providing a seamless, stress-free testing experience. Whether for employment or legal requirements, our strategic locations guarantee convenient and prompt access to testing facilities.
Simple and Confidential Testing Process in Spring Lake, NC
Our straightforward and discreet procedure in Spring Lake, NC, makes arranging, taking, and receiving hair drug test results easy. Prioritizing privacy, this process addresses any concerns individuals may have, ensuring a worry-free experience from start to finish.
Competitive Pricing and Fast Results in Spring Lake, NC
In Spring Lake, NC, our competitive pricing and swift turnaround on hair follicle tests ensure exceptional value. Providing businesses with economical solutions, we also deliver rapid results to expedite decision-making processes.
Precision and Speed of Hair Follicle Tests in Spring Lake, NC
In Spring Lake, NC, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their rapid yet precise results. By analyzing hair samples, these tests provide solid accuracy in identifying substance use over extended times, delivering fast outcomes while ensuring minimal false positives and negatives, crucial for reliable reporting.
Ensuring Compliance and Safety for Employers in Spring Lake, NC
