Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extensive timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol activity over a period extending up to about 90 days. It's straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) sourced closest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, deemed the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to utilize a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively means scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other varieties (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
There are four key steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial intake of a sample into the lab's system. It involves confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most specimens, a positive screen needs verification to be permissible in legal contexts. Any samples with a presumptive positive from Screening require further confirmation.
In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair, though at a concentration significantly lower compared to other procedures (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a more complicated procedure.
Positive screening outcomes are validated through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination itself targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Butler, GA, hair follicle testing stands out as a superior method compared to urine testing. One primary advantage is its ability to detect drug use over a much longer period, offering a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history than the quick snapshot urine testing provides. Furthermore, it's less susceptible to evasion techniques, ensuring accurate and reliable results, crucial for workplaces demanding stringent drug-free policies.
Hair follicle testing in Butler, GA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This advantage allows employers to gain a detailed understanding of an individual’s drug use history. While urine tests can miss past substance use once metabolites are no longer in the system, hair tests provide a comprehensive account of drug interactions, invaluable for making informed decisions related to hiring and employee monitoring.
In Butler, GA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing significantly curtails the risk of sample adulteration. Compared to urine tests, hair samples are not easily tampered with, providing reliable and unquestionable results. This robust method ensures the integrity of the testing process, giving both employers and individuals certainty and trust in the outcomes delivered.
With extensive nationwide and local testing centers, Butler, GA benefits from the convenience that Accredited Drug Testing offers. Our widespread locations facilitate quick and straightforward access to testing services, eliminating the complexities that often accompany drug testing procedures. This ease ensures that individuals and businesses alike can engage in hassle-free testing experiences.
In Butler, GA, the hair follicle drug testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing concerns of privacy and ease of use. This streamlined process attracts individuals and businesses seeking an efficient way to manage drug testing without compromising personal or corporate integrity.
With competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Butler, GA, provides excellent value. The affordability paired with the swiftness of obtaining results makes our hair follicle testing services appealing to companies of all sizes. This economic advantage ensures that businesses maintain their drug-free policies without incurring prohibitive costs.
In Butler, GA, hair follicle drug tests offer speed and precision. These tests are highly accurate in detecting substance use, providing employers and individuals alike with fast and dependable results. The advanced technology behind these tests ensures that the detection of drug use is meticulous, leaving little room for error, which in turn enhances the trustworthiness and reliability of the findings.
For employers in Butler, GA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind. Using this reliable testing method reduces the legal risks associated with substance use in the workplace and promotes a safer environment. By integrating hair testing into regular procedures, employers can maintain high safety standards and uphold their duty of care.
