Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Using hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying the presence of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is gathered close to the head, it can reveal alcohol and drug use over a period of up to three months. Hair is straightforward to obtain, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four critical stages in the laboratory processing involved in producing a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning phase, a sample undergoes initial processing within a laboratory's system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and concludes any additional data entry that wasn't provided through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs. While it is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, any positive screening must be confirmed to hold up in legal settings. Any samples with presumptive positive results in the Screening phase require further confirmation.
For samples that test presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a highly challenging technique.
The verification of any positive screening outcome is performed using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing if required before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the assessment is actually performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Charleston, SC stands out against traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can uncover long-term substance use patterns, providing a more comprehensive evaluation.
Charleston's employers benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, which can trace drug use up to 90 days. This offers a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history, aiding in informed decision-making processes.
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method of drug testing in Charleston, SC. The process significantly curbs the chance of sample tampering, guaranteeing results that are trustworthy and indefensible.
With convenient testing centers spread nationwide, including local sites in Charleston, SC, our services assure you quick and straightforward access to drug testing. This extensive network makes the testing process hassle-free for all clients.
In Charleston, SC, our drug testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use, providing clients peace of mind about their personal information security.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our services in Charleston, SC provide excellent value for companies of all sizes. The affordability and speed of our testing process ensure businesses receive rapid and reliable results.
In Charleston, SC, hair follicle drug tests provide swift and dependable results. Known for their precision, these tests offer a high degree of accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring that the testing process is both reliable and efficient.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Charleston, SC ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing both legal risks and enhancing overall safety. It provides employers with peace of mind, knowing they are adhering to regulations.
