Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. It offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug usage over a period of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, which includes about 200 strands (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and verification processes. For EtG, extended panels, or tests greater than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen’s weight. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used as an alternative. When we speak of head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary hair, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in a lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into the lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entries absent from the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is the initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage for most samples, any positive screen result must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples with presumptive positives identified during Screening need an additional confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is collected from the original sample and proceeds to Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most intricate methods to conduct.
Confirmation of a positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as presumptive positives are washed prior to confirmation if necessary. The laboratory’s entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Such tests are frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", but it’s the hair strand that is analyzed rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Pendleton, SC, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine testing. Among these benefits is superior detection accuracy, providing more reliable results for employers implementing stringent drug-free policies. Its ability to maintain detection accuracy over extended periods ensures hair testing stands above urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Pendleton, SC, is highly valued for its extended detection window, often spanning up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a detailed view of an individual’s substance use history, offering a lengthier period to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of applicants and employees.
The hair follicle testing method in Pendleton, SC, minimizes the risk of adulteration, yielding highly reliable results. Due to the complexity of altering hair samples, this method offers unquestionable accuracy and ensures that tampering attempts are swiftly thwarted, reinforcing the integrity of drug testing.
Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience through its nationwide and local testing centers in Pendleton, SC. These facilities provide fast and stress-free access to testing services, making the process seamless for both employers and individuals needing an efficient testing solution.
The process for hair follicle testing in Pendleton, SC, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns individuals may have about their personal information.
In Pendleton, SC, hair follicle testing is known for its competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. This method provides excellent value, ensuring businesses of all sizes can efficiently and economically obtain the necessary drug testing without compromising quality or timelines.
In Pendleton, SC, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed, precision, and reliability, making it a top choice for detecting substance use. The advanced technology ensures high accuracy, providing clear and dependable results quickly. Employers and individuals alike can trust hair testing for its effective performance in substance detection.
Employers in Pendleton, SC, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which aligns with rigorous workplace drug-free policies. It helps reduce legal risks while enhancing workplace safety, making it a trusted method for maintaining a drug-free environment.
