Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Winterville, NC

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing is increasingly recognized as a strong approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal an extended history of alcohol and drug intake, capturing biomarkers within the hair strand’s fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection window of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp, will yield around 100mg of hair—this is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG and additional tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest verifying the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be sourced. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed within a laboratory’s system. Steps involve ensuring the sample’s seal and shipment were properly executed, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. This step is a practical way to initially exclude drug use in the majority of samples; however, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples that show presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation process.

In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this step, extracting drugs from hair occurs at a significantly lower concentration relative to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), presenting challenges in hair drug screening execution.

Positive screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive outcomes are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests that provide a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally hard, which makes the results more reliable.
• Provides historical data: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," these tests analyze the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Winterville, NC, hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in several aspects. This method offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, helping to capture a detailed picture of an individual's substance use history.

Employers benefit from the comprehensive detection window of hair tests, making it a preferred option over urine tests which only provide recent usage data.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Winterville, NC benefit greatly from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. Capable of identifying substance use for up to 90 days, this method provides a thorough perspective of an individual’s habits.

This comprehensive detection period surpasses that of urine testing, enabling companies to make more informed decisions regarding potential hires and current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The risk of sample tampering is significantly reduced with hair follicle testing in Winterville, NC. This method’s structure makes it a trustworthy source for employers seeking reliable test results.

The verification process involved in collecting hair samples ensures results are dependable, offering transparency and minimizing the chances of any unscrupulous actions potentially affecting the outcome.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of having multiple testing centers nationwide, including local ones in Winterville, NC, ensures easy and stress-free access to our hair testing services.

With the option to visit any of these centers, scheduling a test becomes simple, streamlining the process for both employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Winterville, NC, the hair testing process is straightforward and ensures confidentiality from order placement through to receiving results. Our procedure prioritizes privacy, efficiently catering to client needs.

Clients can rest assured about their personal information remaining secure, while also finding the overall process easy and uncluttered.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Winterville, NC customers enjoy competitive pricing and quick results with our hair follicle testing service, ensuring high value and prompt service for organizations of every size.

Our rapid turnaround times combined with cost-effective rates make our tests not only reliable but also an ideal choice for maintaining workforce integrity.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapid process of hair follicle testing in Winterville, NC, ensure fast and trustworthy results. This method boasts high accuracy in identifying drug use, offering peace of mind to employers and substance abuse professionals who rely on precise data.

With the capacity to detect a range of substances, hair testing is a reliable technique that ensures the integrity of the outcomes from every test is maintained, highlighting both swiftness and accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing within Winterville, NC workplaces ensures compliance with drug-free policies, reducing potential legal issues. Employers find peace of mind with this testing method's accurate and extensive detection capabilities.

By promoting safety in the workplace, this method helps maintain a risk-free environment and supports adherence to strict company policies.

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