Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are now regarded as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol usage. The hair encases biomarkers in its developing fibers, providing a historical record of alcohol and drug consumption. Clippings taken from the scalp's vicinity can offer a detection span of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion containing approximately 200 strands from near the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for tests and confirmations. For assessments like EtG, extra panels above 10 require 150mg of hair. We advise weighing the hair sample with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be accepted. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (e.g., facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation are the four primary steps in laboratory analysis of drug tests.
Accessioning is the first step in processing a sample within a laboratory system. It verifies that the sample has been correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary fast examination for drugs. Although it is a cost-saving method to discount drug use in the bulk of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court acceptance. Each sample that screens as potentially positive necessitates subsequent confirmation.
In the event of a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in lower concentrations compared to other techniques like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of positive screens is done with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive specimens are washed beforehand as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests," the testing focuses on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.
Hair follicle testing stands superior to urine tests in Wakulla, NC, primarily due to its extensive detection period. While urine tests may capture recent use, hair testing offers a broader view, spanning up to 90 days. This captures a longer history of substance use, crucial for employers and officials prioritizing accuracy and trust in drug testing processes, thereby increasing reliability significantly.
Employers in Wakulla, NC, benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing, reaching up to 90 days. This comprehensive approach helps in assessing an individual's drug use history. Unlike other methods, it allows for a thorough understanding of long-term patterns in substance use, aiding employers in making informed decisions during hiring or ongoing employee evaluations.
The hair follicle testing method used in Wakulla, NC, greatly lowers the likelihood of sample tampering. By requiring a directly observed collection method, it becomes exceedingly challenging to alter the outcome, ensuring the results remain trustworthy and legally defensible. This reliable nature of hair testing makes it a preferred choice among employers seeking foolproof results.
The convenient reach of our testing centers nationwide, including in Wakulla, NC, offers unparalleled ease of access to drug testing services. These extensive locations ensure swift and straightforward appointments, characterized by minimal wait times and hassle, delivering an effortless testing experience relevant for corporations and individuals alike, emphasizing accessibility.
In Wakulla, NC, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, the procedure ensures privacy and ease of use. This lowers concerns regarding confidentiality, making it straightforward for both individuals and employers to obtain and trust their testing outcomes without compromising personal information.
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times highlight our services in Wakulla, NC. By delivering excellent value, all businesses, regardless of size, can rely on affordable drug testing solutions. This positions us as a favored choice, balancing cost-effectiveness with rapid, reliable results, offering peace of mind and financial relief to employers investing in workforce safety.
The precision and speed associated with hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in Wakulla, NC. This method ensures a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use, providing faster results compared to traditional tests. The efficiency of processing hair samples contributes to the reliability and trustability of the outcomes, appealing to employers and individuals seeking dependable testing options.
For employers in Wakulla, NC, hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thus minimizing legal risks and fostering a safer work environment. This testing method reinforces compliance, peace of mind, and the required rigor in maintaining workplace standards, exhibiting a preferred approach for companies dedicated to safety and regulation adherence.
