Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 strands of hair (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the initial processing of a sample into a lab's system. This involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any requisite data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need secondary verification.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most complex method to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conformance to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair testing? In Red Bank, SC, hair follicle tests outperform traditional urine tests with broader detection windows and greater reliability.
Unlike urine tests which only capture recent drug use, hair tests provide a more comprehensive history, making them ideal for employers with strict drug policies.
Hair follicle testing in Red Bank, SC, offers an extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days.
Employers gain a holistic view of substance use history, understanding patterns beyond the immediate past.
Hair follicle testing in Red Bank, SC, is inherently tamper-resistant. The collection process minimizes sample adulteration, ensuring honest results.
Employers trust these tests for their reliability and integrity, significantly reducing the chance of manipulations.
Convenience is key in Red Bank, SC, with nationwide testing centers offering swift, no-fuss services.
Local residents benefit from our easily accessible locations, simplifying the testing process.
The process in Red Bank, SC, is hassle-free and private, from ordering tests to receiving results.
Confidentiality is prioritized, assuaging privacy concerns for both individuals and employers.
Offering competitive rates, our services in Red Bank, SC, deliver value without compromising quality.
Quick turnaround times coupled with affordable pricing ensure peace of mind for businesses of any scale.
Renowned for their speed and precision, hair follicle drug tests in Red Bank, SC, deliver rapid and reliable outcomes. Efficiency and accuracy are hallmarks of hair tests, swiftly identifying substance use.
With minimal wait times and clear results, these tests ensure that employers and individuals are informed without delay, enhancing decision-making processes.
Red Bank employers find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free policies.
