Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately hard to adulterate, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not an option, a comparable amount of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result is divided into four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's system. This process involves ensuring the sample was sealed and transported properly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody platform.
Screening entails an initial check for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for courtroom admissibility. Samples that are likely positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When considering drug testing in Argyle, GA, hair follicle testing stands out as a superior alternative to traditional urine tests. It provides unparalleled accuracy by identifying substance use over extended periods, surpassing the short detection window of urine tests. Hair tests account for substance use history, making them invaluable for thorough assessments.
Employers, courts, and substance professionals increasingly favor hair tests due to their enhanced reliability and effectiveness. The integrity of hair testing ensures minimal chance for cheating, while its comprehensive detection ability addresses the exact requirements of workplaces that rely on stringent and fair drug-free policies.
In Argyle, GA, the hair follicle drug test's remarkable extended detection window is a valuable asset. Unlike traditional tests offering limited time frames, hair testing covers up to 90 days of substance history. Employers can gain deeper insights into applicants or employees' prior substance use, making more informed decisions.
This elongated detection period allows a clear view of persistent substance use behaviors. For companies prioritizing long-term sobriety, the hair test's capability to present a full drug usage history proves to be indispensable.
The hair follicle test's design inherently reduces the risk of sample tampering in Argyle, GA, ensuring a secure testing process. This method, resistant to manipulation, provides confidence in result authenticity, as altering the hair samples is considerably challenging compared to other methods.
Employers and service providers favor hair testing due to its reliable protection against potential adulteration. This solidifies the credibility of the results, bolstering assurance in the effectiveness of workplace training systems reliant on drug-free compliance.
Argyle, GA residents benefit from widely accessible testing locations with Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide presence. This broad network ensures testing is convenient and readily available, reducing delays and expanding options for those needing swift testing solutions.
The nationwide reach of testing centers means individuals in Argyle can quickly find nearby facilities for seamless drug testing. The ease of access encourages timely testing, upholding the proactivity required in maintaining substance-free environments.
In Argyle, GA, the process surrounding hair follicle testing is marked by its simplicity and confidentiality. The steps to order a test, submit a hair sample, and receive results are streamlined, prioritizing the privacy and peace of customers.
User-friendly processes ensure individuals can undergo testing without complications or concerns over their private information. Confidentiality remains paramount, and the discreet handling of details ensures trust in the method and the integrity of the testing's outcome.
Argyle, GA businesses are drawn to hair follicle testing for its cost-efficiency and rapid results. The fast turnaround of tests aids decision-making processes, while competitive pricing ensures all sizes of organizations can benefit from access to top-tier testing methods.
Businesses of varying sizes can leverage the affordability of hair testing while delivering quick, accurate results. This blend of unbeatable pricing and speed provides valued peace of mind through a service that emphasizes both quality and accessibility.
Hair follicle drug testing in Argyle, GA is renowned for its precision and swiftness. By assessing a small hair sample, this test accurately identifies substance use, delivering results with higher reliability. The method's fine-tuned accuracy ensures substances are detected even in trace amounts, highlighting its superiority over conventional testing methods.
Employers and individuals opting for hair testing gain the benefit of quick and dependable outcomes. The process not only guarantees comprehensive detection but does so in a time-efficient manner. This approach ensures that precise results are returned swiftly, reinforcing trust in the testing procedures utilized.
Employers in Argyle, GA find peace of mind in hair follicle testing through assured compliance with drug-free policies. The comprehensive nature of these tests minimises legal exposure and enhances workplace safety by reliably detecting prolonged drug use.
Emphasizing workplace safety, hair tests are pivotal in establishing a safe working environment. They address the risk of substance use effectively, ensuring organizations can maintain their commitment to a drug-free atmosphere and avoid potential legal complications.
