Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pine Park, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. It provides extensive historical data by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When hair is sourced near the scalp, it can reveal drug or alcohol use for up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering with hair is relatively challenging, and the sample is convenient to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields around 100mg, the preferred amount for thorough testing and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be obtained. By 'head hair,' we mean specifically scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other forms (like facial or underarm hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory process in analyzing drug testing results encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a specimen within a lab's system, ensuring the sample's integrity in sealing and transit, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional documentation needed beyond what's included in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for signs of substance misuse. It's a cost-effective method to discount drug presence in most samples, yet a positive screen necessitates confirmatory testing to hold up in legal contexts. Any specimens testing presumptively positive in Screening call for further confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is drawn from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other forms such as urine or oral fluids, explaining the complexity of conducting hair-based drug testing.

Verification of any initial positive findings utilizes techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. The complete process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is monitored under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and meets ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection duration: Hair analysis can uncover drug use extending back to 90 days, unlike urine tests with more limited timeframes.
• Resistance to deception: It is notably hard to manipulate a hair drug test, offering precise outcomes.
• Reveals historic usage: It can demonstrate a timeline of drug use, rather than just indicating recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying immediate use: Drugs typically become traceable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing incurs higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result discrepancies: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", this examination targets the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Pine Park, GA, hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests. They offer a longer detection window and robustness against tampering, making them the preferred choice for comprehensive drug detection.

Extended Detection Window

With a 90-day detection window, hair follicle testing in Pine Park, GA, gives employers a thorough understanding of substance history, surpassing the coverage of traditional drug tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Pine Park, GA, is a tamper-resistant method, significantly mitigating risks of adulteration. This ensures that the results are both reliable and unquestionable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers offer convenience across Pine Park, GA. With local locations, accessing testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free, accommodating various testing needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Pine Park, GA, is simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, it addresses privacy concerns and user ease, ensuring a seamless experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround, hair follicle testing in Pine Park, GA, provides excellent value for companies. This ensures affordability paired with timely results for businesses of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Pine Park, GA, stand out for their precision and speed. With their high accuracy, these tests quickly detect substance use, providing critical insights for employers and legal systems alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pine Park, GA, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free policies while enhancing workplace safety and reducing legal risks.

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