Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate markers of alcohol and drugs over time, offering a comprehensive history of use. When collected proximally to the scalp, hair can provide an approximate 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it is moderately resilient to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch lock consisting of around 200 hairs (roughly the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for initial screening and verification. For EtG, additional services, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest determining the specimen's weight with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair references are exclusive to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The drug testing process in a lab comprises four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the first stage, where a sample is integrated into the lab's framework. This process confirms the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening offers an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result in this phase demands subsequent confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further verification.
Should a sample suggest a positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, substances are extracted from hair at a considerably reduced concentration compared to other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluid), reflecting the complexity of hair drug tests.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair itself rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing in Alto, GA, vastly outperforms urine-based methods, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can reveal substance use over a much longer period, detecting a broader range of drugs.
The accuracy of hair tests ensures that results reflect a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug history.
Hair follicle testing in Alto, GA, captures drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days, proving an extensive detection window.
This method provides employers with an in-depth understanding of a potential or current employee's substance use history, offering insights not possible with other tests.
Extended detection time frames aid in making informed decisions about personnel and safety.
The hair follicle testing approach in Alto, GA, stands out for its resilience against sample adulteration, significantly reducing tamper risks.
Given the nature of hair testing, the method offers results that are both reliable and beyond question.
By minimizing the potential for manipulation, hair tests ensure that employers receive accurate results.
Alto, GA, benefits from our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, making access to our services convenient and straightforward.
Our local presence ensures that individuals and companies can easily reach us for all their testing needs, minimizing disruption.
The convenience of readily available testing sites simplifies the process, delivering hassle-free service.
In Alto, GA, the process of hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential, designed with user privacy in mind.
Ordering, undergoing, and receiving your test results is streamlined, ensuring ease and confidentiality throughout the process.
Concerns about privacy are addressed with a design that ensures a discreet and user-friendly experience.
Companies in Alto, GA, can benefit from our competitive pricing on hair follicle testing, providing excellent value.
Quick result turnaround times enhance value, addressing business needs promptly without sacrificing quality.
This affordability ensures that firms of all sizes can access reliable testing services without straining budgets.
In Alto, GA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results, capturing a wider spectrum of substances.
With superior detection capabilities, hair testing surpasses outdated techniques, ensuring results that are both comprehensive and conclusive.
The efficiency of hair tests streamlines the process, offering quick outcomes without compromising on their precision.
By employing hair follicle testing, employers in Alto, GA, can maintain compliance with drug-free workplace requirements, fostering greater safety.
This form of testing mitigates legal risks, providing businesses with peace of mind and improving workplace integrity.
With zero-tolerance policies, hair analysis serves as an effective tool for maintaining a safe working environment.
