Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Seen as an effective way to spot drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing offers a comprehensive historical view by capturing biomarkers within hair fibers as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, hair provides a detection window for alcohol and drugs spanning up to around 90 days. It is straightforward to gather, a challenge to tamper with, and simple to mail.
For an ideal screening and confirmation sample, a 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair. In cases involving EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair is an option. “Head hair†refers specifically to scalp hair, while “body hair†includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processes involved in achieving a drug test result include four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning constitutes the sample's initial intake into a laboratory's system. This part is about checking the sample's seal and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entries absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift drug of abuse check. Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to negate drug use in most samples; however, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Presumptive positives found during Screening require an additional confirmation step.
Upon a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, further hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other test types (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most intricate methodology.
Any Screening positive is confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo a wash before confirmation. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criterium and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", what’s actually analyzed is the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Buford, GA
In comparisons, hair follicle testing consistently demonstrates superior accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Buford, GA
Hair testing significantly extends the timeline to detect drug use, offering insights into a potential employee's past substance activities up to 90 days.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Buford, GA
Hair follicle tests inherently minimize the risk of sample falsification, ensuring the authenticity of results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Buford, GA
Our widespread testing centers provide straightforward and efficient access to drug testing services. These nationwide locations ensure convenience and ease.
Simple, Confidential Process in Buford, GA
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair test results in Buford is straightforward and discreet, preserving privacy while ensuring a seamless experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Buford, GA
Competitive pricing models combined with rapid result times offer remarkable value, granting assurance to businesses of diverse scales.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Buford, GA
Hair follicle drug tests deliver precise and expedient results, highlighting their efficiency in identifying substance use. These tests ensure high accuracy, capturing even subtle traces with clarity.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Buford, GA
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps organizations adhere to employment drug-free guidelines, curbing potential legal dilemmas and boosting job safety.