Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands as it grows. When a sample is obtained near the scalp, hair testing offers upto a roughly three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drug presence. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and can be easily transported.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If head hair can't be collected, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair; "body hair" includes all other types (facial, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the laboratory processing of drug test samples: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a specimen into the lab's system. This process includes the authentication of proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening carries out a preliminary and rapid assessment for abuse of drugs. Although Screening economically filters drug usage from most specimens, a positive result requires verification for court validity. Samples indicating presumed positivity in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
When samples show presumed positives at the Screening phase, more hair is prepared from the original specimen for the Extraction process. At this step, lower concentrations of drugs are derived from hair compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair screening exceptionally challenging.
Confirming any positive screening involves GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumed positive sample is cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab routine from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specialization and certified to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Beats Urine Testing in Thomasville, NC is clear: hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine methods with unmatched detection accuracy. With their extended detection range and resilience against manipulation, these tests provide reliable and consistent outcomes, ensuring employers get a comprehensive picture of substance use histories.
Extended Detection Capacity in Thomasville, NC show how hair follicle tests can trace substance use up to 90 days back. This capacity offers employers a more detailed profile of an individual's drug habits compared to urine tests, enabling a wider understanding of applicants' or employees' behaviors over time.
Reliable and Tamper-Resistant Testing in Thomasville, NC showcases the strength of hair follicle tests in minimizing sample adulteration risks. These rigorous tests ensure trustworthy and irrefutable results, helping organizations maintain integrity and fidelity in drug testing processes.
Nationwide and Local Convenience in Thomasville, NC is achievable thanks to our widespread testing centers. This ensures quick, simple, and stress-free access to drug testing, offering convenience through easily accessible locations both nationwide and locally, catering to all testing needs efficiently.
Effortless and Confidential Process in Thomasville, NC ensures that ordering, conducting, and receiving drug test results is straightforward and private. This process safeguards confidentiality, addresses privacy concerns, and ensures ease of use, making drug testing uncomplicated.
Cost-Effective and Swift Processing in Thomasville, NC features competitive pricing and rapid result delivery. These appealing attributes provide excellent value and confidence to companies, regardless of their size, emphasizing affordability and quick answer retrieval times.
Fast Results, Exceptional Accuracy in Thomasville, NC highlight the outstanding performance of hair follicle drug tests. These tests stand out due to their quick turnaround periods and precise detection capabilities, ensuring prompt and thorough identification of substance usage. Their reliable accuracy minimizes doubt and provides definitive insights.
Compliance and Assurance in Thomasville, NC is achievable through hair follicle testing. By implementing these tests, employers ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal challenges and enhancing overall workplace safety, thereby providing peace of mind to organizations.