Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lake Waccamaw, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for discovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer around a 90-day detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

An ideal sample for screening and confirmation consists of a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, equating to 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. The term “head hair” pertains solely to scalp hair, while “body hair” encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processes in drug testing are chiefly divided into four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab's system, including verifying appropriate sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing unmet data entry needs that an electronic chain of custody system doesn't cover.

Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening demand a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods such as urine or oral fluid, explaining the complexity of hair drug screening.

Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation falls under the scrutiny of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to deceive: Evading a hair drug test is quite challenging, thus ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Historical insight: It provides a pattern of substance use over a timeline rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair approximately after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than alternate drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentration can be influenced by hair color and individual differences in hair growth.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• Hair testing delivers extended detection time, unlike traditional urine tests.
• Employers favor hair testing for its superior accuracy and reliability.
• While urine tests only capture short-term usage, hair testing offers a longer evaluation period, revealing a comprehensive drug use pattern over time.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• Hair follicle testing can reveal drug use for up to 90 days.
• This longer detection period gives employers better insight into potential hires.
• It allows for viewing an employee's substance history over several months, far exceeding what a urine test provides, ensuring more informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• Hair follicle tests greatly diminish the chances of sample tampering.
• This method ensures reliable and indisputable results.
• The integrity of these tests provides confidence and security in employee assessments and court-related screenings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• With numerous testing centers across the nation, accessibility is seamless.
• Lake Waccamaw residents benefit from nearby facilities offering quick and convenient appointments.
• Our structure ensures hassle-free access to testing services for residents and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• Our testing services maintain confidentiality from start to finish.
• Ordering, conducting, and receiving results is straightforward and secure.
• Concerns about privacy and ease of use are mitigated through our streamlined, simple procedures, ensuring a comfortable experience for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• Benefit from competitive pricing tailored to suit businesses of all sizes.
• Experience rapid test results without sacrificing affordability.
• Our excellent value proposition assures companies that they receive superior service at costs that won't break the bank, all with fast turnaround times.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• Hair follicle drug testing offers a quick and precise way to detect drug use.
• This method ensures high accuracy rates, important for reliable test outcomes.
• Residents in Lake Waccamaw can trust these tests for top-notch reliability and speed in results, giving peace of mind in a timely manner.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lake Waccamaw, NC

• The utilization of hair testing supports drug-free workplace policies.
• Employers avoid legal risks by ensuring their staff adhere to compliance standards.
• Hair testing not only enhances workplace safety but also provides employers with peace of mind knowing they are maintaining a clean environment.

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