Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When harvested near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (about as thick as a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system. This process confirms the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra information not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial simple review for substance use. While Screening is an economic method to dismiss drug use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in a legal setting. Any samples showing positive results in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample appears positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is done uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples assumed positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair credentials and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Lobeco, SC, the preference for hair follicle testing over urine testing comes down to superior detection abilities. While urine tests can confirm recent use, hair tests reveal a fuller history of substance use, offering precision and reliability that urine tests simply can't match.
The unquestionable analysis from hair samples provides greater peace of mind for everyone involved. From workplace safety to legal compliance, the comprehensive nature of hair testing results leads the way.
The beauty of hair follicle testing in Lobeco, SC, lies in its expansive detection window. Unlike other methods, hair testing looks back up to 90 days, granting employers a substantial overview of an individual's drug use history, crucial for making informed hiring decisions.
This extended detection period is invaluable, shedding light on long-term patterns of use rather than a brief recent snapshot. As such, it serves as a powerful tool for ensuring consistent accountability in any drug-free policy.
Hair follicle testing stands out in Lobeco, SC, for its tamper-resistant nature. Adulteration tactics commonly exploited in urine tests don't apply here, as the secure collection method and robust analysis process circumvent such concerns.
This resistance against tampering ensures results are both reliable and trustworthy, ultimately upholding the integrity of the testing environment. With hair testing, you can trust the findings are genuine, unclouded by external manipulation.
Accessibility and convenience are key in Lobeco, SC, with our widespread testing locations. Whether local or nationwide, our centers make the testing process seamless and stress-free, accommodating your schedule and location preferences with efficiency.
This extensive network of locations ensures you’re never far from a testing site, reducing wait times and expediting results. For those seeking hassle-free testing, our centers are the ideal choice.
Simplicity is at the heart of the hair follicle testing process in Lobeco, SC. From ordering tests to collecting samples, each step is designed to maintain confidentiality while being user-friendly, addressing any privacy concerns participants might harbor.
The straightforward approach ensures that both individuals and organizations experience ease from start to finish. Results are delivered promptly and discreetly, further enhancing the trustworthiness of the process.
Affordability pairs with efficiency in Lobeco, SC, as our hair follicle tests promise both competitive pricing and rapid results. Companies of all sizes benefit from this combination, maximizing their value and ensuring timely insights into substance use.
The strategic pricing structure doesn't sacrifice quality. Instead, it offers exemplary service, allowing organizations to remain vigilant about substance use while respecting budget constraints.
The swift and precise results of hair follicle drug tests in Lobeco, SC, are unparalleled. These tests boast a high accuracy rate for detecting substances, allowing for confident decision-making by employers and legal professionals alike. The streamlined process ensures fast turnaround times, so you’re not left waiting to act on the findings.
With hair testing, there's little room for doubt. The thorough nature of the analysis provides a clear-cut observation of drug use. For anyone invested in maintaining a drug-free environment, this method delivers the reliability needed to uphold those standards with confidence.
Incorporating hair follicle testing in Lobeco, SC, means heightened compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their processes align with legal standards, mitigating potential risks and fostering a safe work environment.
Hair testing not only reassures employers but also strengthens the overall workplace culture. By maintaining stringent policies against drug use, the organization projects a strong stance on health and safety.
