Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair, it offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug usage. When the hair sample is taken near the scalp, it can potentially reveal alcohol and drug usage for a detection period of up to three months. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, taken from about 200 strands close to the scalp (roughly a #2 pencil's thickness), yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is preferred. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. Specifically, head hair pertains only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses hair from other areas (including facial and axillary regions).
Process Overview
The principal steps within the lab's drug testing process include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the lab system. This involves ensuring the sample has been sealed and sent correctly, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any missing data entry not covered by the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although it's a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen still requires verification to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is known for its complexity.
Positive screening confirmations employ GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. For all presumptive positives, samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Centerville, SC, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests owing to superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, which offer only a short detection window, hair tests accurately identify substance use over extended periods, enhancing reliability.
Employers and legal bodies find hair testing to be a more dependable choice for maintaining a stringent drug-free policy.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle tests in Centerville, SC is their ability to detect drug use over prolonged periods, often up to 90 days. This extended detection window affords employers a detailed history of an individual's substance use, crucial in making informed decisions.
Such thorough assessments are invaluable for organizations aiming to uphold strict substance policies.
Hair follicle drug tests in Centerville, SC present a significant reduction in the risk of sample tampering, which is a common challenge with other testing methods. By being tamper-resistant, these tests provide conclusive results, bolstering trust in the outcomes.
As a result, they are increasingly favored in settings where sample authenticity is paramount.
With a vast network of testing centers, both nationwide and locally in Centerville, SC, our services are conveniently accessible. This extensive reach ensures a hassle-free experience for clients, guaranteeing swift and seamless access to drug testing services whenever needed.
Such accessibility enhances the efficiency of substance testing regimes.
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests in Centerville, SC is simple and confidential.
From beginning to end, every step is designed to uphold privacy and ease of use, addressing common concerns about transparency and confidentiality in drug testing.
Our hair follicle drug testing services in Centerville, SC are characterized by competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround, offering clients excellent value.
These affordable solutions meet the needs of businesses of various scales, ensuring they can efficiently uphold their drug testing requirements without straining their budgets.
Hair follicle drug testing in Centerville, SC stands out due to its exceptional accuracy and speed. Offering fast turnaround times, these tests quickly and reliably identify substance use, providing clear results.
Precision is an inherent trait of hair tests, minimizing the possibility of false positives. This makes them a critical tool for supporting a drug-free environment in various sectors.
Employers in Centerville, SC can gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it aids in confirming compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
By reducing legal liabilities and enhancing safety, this method supports organizations in maintaining a safe and compliant environment, thereby protecting their interests and those of their employees.
