Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer close to a 3-month period for detection of alcohol and drugs. Hair collections are easy, less prone to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing around 200 strands of hair (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the ideal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It is advised to measure the hair weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. In reference to head hair, it implies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab assessment of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the introduction of a sample into the laboratory’s process. This encompasses verifying the sample’s packaging and delivery integrity, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any additional record-keeping absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening serves as an initial rapid examination for drugs commonly abused. Although Screening effectively excludes drug use in most specimens economically, a positive outcome necessitates further verification to be valid in legal proceedings. Any presumptive positives from Screening need a confirmatory step.
For samples presumed positive in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original sample and set up for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower amounts compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the method examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
In the realm of drug testing, hair follicle testing in Shulerville, SC, provides distinct advantages over urine testing. A crucial benefit is its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests, unlike urine tests, can uncover a prolonged history of drug use, giving it an edge. This method is preferred by those seeking trustworthy and comprehensive drug testing solutions.
Employers in Shulerville, SC, find value in hair follicle tests due to their extended detection period, up to 90 days. This method offers a thorough insight into an employee's or applicant's drug use history, much beyond what traditional methods offer. By employing this test, employers are better equipped to make informed decisions regarding substance use.
The hair follicle testing method significantly minimizes the risk of adulterated samples in Shulerville, SC. Thanks to the way samples are collected and analyzed, this testing is tamper-resistant, delivering highly reliable and indisputable results. It stands as a trustworthy method ensuring the integrity of the testing process.
Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including ones in Shulerville, SC, provides easy and convenient access to hair follicle testing. This ensures a quick, hassle-free experience for all users, whether they require testing locally or elsewhere across the country. Such expansive coverage reinforces our commitment to accessibility.
The simple and confidential procedure of hair follicle testing in Shulerville, SC, addresses user concerns about privacy and ease. The process is designed for straightforward ordering, testing, and result retrieval, ensuring that individuals and organizations can confidently handle their testing needs without worry.
In Shulerville, SC, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, with rapid turnaround times that provide excellent value. This affordability, coupled with prompt results, makes it an excellent choice for companies of all sizes, delivering both financial and operational peace of mind.
Hair follicle drug testing is remarkably precise and swift, offering reliable outcomes crucial for stakeholders in Shulerville, SC. The method holds high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring that results are dependable and quickly obtained. By choosing this testing option, individuals and organizations benefit from a process that assures correctness and speed.
For Shulerville, SC employers, hair follicle testing promises compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and bolstering workplace safety. By employing this testing strategy, businesses can maintain a safer working environment and assure regulatory adherence, thus achieving peace of mind.
