Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug use by preserving biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs of up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. The term "head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process of laboratory analysis for a drug test encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is first introduced into a lab's system. This step confirms the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
In Screening, a preliminary assessment for illicit substances is conducted. While Screening is economically efficient for negating drug use in the majority of samples, a positive result requires confirmation to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples yielding presumptive positives in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
Should a sample register presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair screening as a more intricate process.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing as needed. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) designation for Hair and the ISO / IEC 17025 compliance standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Charlotte, TX, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering superior detection capabilities. The accuracy and reliability of hair tests have revolutionized drug screening.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle drug tests offer enhanced detection accuracy. This method ensures a dependable snapshot of an individual’s substance use history.
Hair follicle testing in Charlotte, TX, provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a full picture of an individual's substance use history.
Charlotte, TX, leverages hair testing’s long detection window to gain detailed insights into an employee’s drug activity, favoring informed decision-making in employment matters.
Hair follicle tests in Charlotte, TX, significantly mitigate risks associated with sample tampering, ensuring results' integrity. This method provides strong resistance to adulteration.
Testing in Charlotte, TX, ensures reliable results through hair analysis, which is difficult to alter. This process guarantees authentically retained samples for analysis.
Charlotte, TX, benefits from nationwide testing centers, offering easy and convenient access to drug testing. This widespread reach simplifies the testing process for clients.
With numerous local centers in Charlotte, TX, and beyond, individuals can readily take advantage of seamless and hassle-free testing services.
The drug testing process in Charlotte, TX, ensures simplicity and confidentiality, easily navigable while respecting privacy needs. These procedures instill public confidence.
Straightforward and confidential procedures make drug testing in Charlotte, TX, user-friendly, heightening comfort and privacy assurance.
In Charlotte, TX, competitive pricing and rapid result timelines offer excellent product for businesses regardless of size. These advantages attract many stakeholders.
Affordable options alongside expedited turnaround times highlight the value of drug testing services in Charlotte, TX. They provide solid value for enterprises focused on swift results.
The precision and quick delivery of hair follicle drug tests in Charlotte, TX, make them highly valued. These tests are celebrated for their accuracy, effectively identifying substance use.
The swift and precise results provided by hair tests are unmatched, setting a benchmark in drug detection. Employers value the reliability of these results, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies.
Companies in Charlotte, TX, find hair follicle testing instrumental in upholding workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal battles, and promoting safety.
Hair tests enable adherence to compliance standards, vital for companies in Charlotte, TX. Ensuring peace of mind, they foster adherence to rigorous drug-free workplace mandates.
