Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands of developing hair, offering an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use. When taken near the scalp, hair can present nearly a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, acquiring 150mg of the sample is advised. It's beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. Here, head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair comprises all alternative hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the foundational processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step confirms the sample's sealed and proper shipment, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening involves a preliminary swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for discounting drug activity in most samples, a positive initial finding necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Any presumptive positive results in Screening mandate further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug analysis is the most challenging to execute.
To confirm any positive screening outcomes, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS are employed. All presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing prior to confirmation as necessary. The end-to-end laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed as “hair follicle tests”, the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Advantages Over Urine Testing: In Brookwood, GA, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests. Among its key benefits is its ability to offer longer detection windows, thus providing a more comprehensive record of substance use. Employers often prefer hair tests because of their superior accuracy and difficulty to tamper with, unlike urine tests.
This method ensures increased reliability, aiding organizations with zero-tolerance policies.
Extended Detection Period: Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests in Brookwood, GA, boast the capacity to detect drug usage for up to 90 days. This expansive window provides employers with a broader view of an individual's substance use history, making it invaluable for pre-employment screenings and ongoing checks.
Tamper-Resistant Advantage: Hair follicle testing is nearly immune to manipulation, making it a preferred choice in Brookwood, GA. Unlike urine samples, which can be easily adulterated, hair specimens offer a secure method to ensure the integrity of results, providing unquestionable reliability in testing for drugs over time.
Nationwide and Local Convenience: Accessing testing services in Brookwood, GA, is now hassle-free with our widespread network of testing locations. Our centers offer fast and straightforward services, providing easy access to testing facilities nationwide and locally, ensuring that individuals and companies can obtain necessary tests quickly.
Simple and Confidential: The hair follicle testing process in Brookwood, GA, prioritizes simplicity and discretion. Ordering, conducting, and recipients of results find it seamless, with privacy diligently respected at every step, addressing concerns regarding personal data security and straightforwardness.
Economic and Swift Solutions: Our hair follicle testing solutions in Brookwood, GA, offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality. Companies, regardless of their size, benefit from affordable rates coupled with rapid turnaround times, ensuring excellent value and assurance in their drug screening procedures.
In Brookwood, GA, the swiftness and precision of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy, offering reliable detection of drug use over extended periods. The sophisticated methodology guarantees precise results, setting a new benchmark for substance testing in the region. Hair tests enable quick turnaround times, ensuring employers get fast, dependable reports.
Benefits:
Ensuring Compliance and Safety: In Brookwood, GA, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind for employers by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace standards. This method minimizes legal liabilities and fosters a safe environment, crucial for organizational productivity and reputation integrity.
