Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a vital resource for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains long-term evidence of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 90-day detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.
A 1.5-inch piece of around 200 hair strands (roughly resembling a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, supplementary tests, and analyses exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to have 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advisable. In cases where scalp hair isn’t accessible, a similar volume of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing procedure is composed of four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies the proper sealing and transportation of the sample, generates a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and fulfills any additional data entry requirements not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid evaluation for drugs. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, confirmation is necessary for a positive screen to be valid in legal settings. Samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
Presumptive positives in the Screening phase lead to additional hair being extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Positive screening confirmations utilize GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if required. The entire laboratory sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair recognition and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Cleveland, SC, hair follicle testing is superior to urine testing due to its enhanced accuracy and reliability. Employers appreciate hair tests for their extended detection windows and resistance to tampering compared to urine tests. With hair samples, results span a broader period, offering higher detection accuracy. This makes them a preferred choice for stringent drug-free workplace policies and court requirements.
Hair follicle testing in Cleveland, SC, offers an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests. This method provides employers a holistic summary of an individual's substance history. With such a broad timeframe, it helps ensure that employees are meeting the company's drug-use standards long-term, supporting comprehensive workplace safety policies.
Hair follicle testing in Cleveland, SC, effectively reduces the risk of sample adulteration compared to other methods. Its tamper-resistant design ensures the reliability of results, providing employers and agencies with a powerful tool for unchallengeable substance use testing. This method provides higher integrity of findings, making it an ideal choice for maintaining secure and fair testing protocols.
With testing centers conveniently located nationwide and in Cleveland, SC, Accredited Drug Testing facilitates easy access to hair follicle testing services. Our widespread network ensures that you can find a testing location near you, making the process straightforward and hassle-free. Quick access to testing enables seamless integration into your organizational procedures.
In Cleveland, SC, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, respecting clients' privacy concerns. From appointment scheduling to result retrieval, each step is handled discreetly, ensuring maximum confidentiality and convenience for all involved parties.
Recognizing privacy needs, we ensure that every step is securely managed.
Accredited Drug Testing in Cleveland, SC, provides competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, ensuring excellent value. Our fast turnaround times mean companies can quickly receive results without sacrificing peace of mind. Offering affordability and efficiency, our services are tailored to fit organizations of any size.
This combination of affordability and speed makes us a preferred choice.
In Cleveland, SC, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and quick results. This method provides highly accurate detection of substance use compared to traditional tests. By examining hair samples, we can confidently identify any traces of drugs, ensuring employers and individuals receive quick, dependable results.
The speed of these tests minimizes downtime, making them a smart choice for organizations in need of fast answers.
Employers in Cleveland, SC, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing by maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces the legal risks associated with drug violations, supports safer work environments, and reinforces a company's commitment to health and safety. Ensuring compliance helps avoid costly litigation and protects the organization's reputation.
