Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by encasing biomarkers within the strands of evolving hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly three-month period of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch cut of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in laboratory drug test analysis consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the sample's initial processing within the lab’s system, encompassing validation of the sample’s sealed and correct shipment, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any further data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not cover.
Screening is a preliminary and rapid examination for substances. Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug presence in most cases, but positive screens require confirmation for legal validity. Any samples potentially positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
When a sample shows potential positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are withdrawn from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive screen results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with potential positivity are cleansed before confirmation as required. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 certifications.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite common references as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Trenton, NC, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Improved accuracy and reliability are among the reasons why more are turning to hair tests. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can detect drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. For employers and professionals dedicated to maintaining a drug-free environment, this method proves invaluable.
Trenton, NC, benefits from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing, which can trace drug use up to 90 days back. This extended period allows employers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's drug history, providing insights unavailable through shorter-term methods. With this testing, decisions can be better informed regarding substance use history.
Hair follicle testing in Trenton, NC, offers a tamper-resistant alternative, community acknowledged for its robustness. This testing method significantly reduces the chance of tampering or adulteration—a common issue faced by other testing procedures, like urine tests. Its design ensures results are reliable and unquestionable, offering peace of mind to all stakeholders involved.
Trenton, NC, and its residents have access to Accredited Drug Testing's convenient nationwide and local testing centers. The ubiquity of these centers ensures that individuals and organizations can experience fast, easy, and hassle-free testing services, no matter where they are located across the nation, accommodating their needs seamlessly.
In Trenton, NC, hair follicle testing offers a straightforward and confidential process. From ordering to testing and receiving results, the procedure respects privacy, addressing any concerns about confidentiality. Individuals can rely on a smooth experience, appreciating both the simplicity of the process and the security of their personal information.
Trenton, NC, businesses will find the combination of affordable pricing and quick turnaround times hard to beat. Our competitive pricing structures meet the budget constraints of companies of all sizes. In tandem, the rapid result delivery offers great value, cementing peace of mind for businesses looking for efficient yet cost-effective drug testing solutions.
In Trenton, NC, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests have made them a sought-after choice. Hair testing distinguishes itself with high accuracy, quickly yielding reliable results. This method is designed to detect substance use with remarkable precision, outshining conventional testing methods, such as urine tests, and ensuring that the results are both fast and dependable.
Providing compliance and peace of mind for employers in Trenton, NC, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety protocols, businesses can maintain and enforce a secure working environment without concerns of potential breach or dishonesty in testing methods.
