Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chickamauga, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing strands, hair offers an extensive timeline of substance intake. If obtained near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a 90-day perspective on alcohol and drug consumption. It's straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to dispatch.

An ideal sample for evaluation is a 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest the scalp, amounting to 100mg of hair. For EtG enhancements and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be opted for. The term head hair specifically indicates scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four essential steps in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial integration into a laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample’s sealing and shipping integrity, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and incorporates any additional details absent from the electronic custody sequence.

Screening offers an initial rapid evaluation for drug presence. Although cost-effective for excluding substance use in most samples, a screen turning out positive necessitates confirmation for court legitimacy. Any sample flagged as presumptively positive during Screening mandates a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is flagged during the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the initial batch and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted at diminished concentrations compared to alternatives (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug assessment a notably challenging approach.

Confirmation of confirmed positive results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. If necessary, all samples marked presumptive positive undergo cleansing before confirmation. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the guidance of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which present a narrower timeframe.
• Resistance to deception: Hair drug tests are notably hard to deceive, enhancing accuracy.
• Captures historical usage patterns: This method reveals substance usage trends over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations tend to be costlier than other testing modes.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth disparities can influence drug metabolite levels within the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Chickamauga, GA, surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests may be effective for recent drug use, hair tests offer a more comprehensive view with a longer detection window, ensuring a better assessment of an individual's substance history, thereby providing more accurate results.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Chickamauga, GA, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests, which can identify drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive period allows for a thorough evaluation of an employee’s or applicant’s substance use history, ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Chickamauga, GA, minimizes the risk of tampering, ensuring that the results are both trustworthy and indisputable. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are highly resistant to adulteration, providing peace of mind through their enhanced reliability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of accredited testing centers in Chickamauga, GA, and across the nation ensures easy and rapid access to hair follicle drug testing. These facilities provide hassle-free services, enabling individuals and businesses to benefit from unparalleled convenience without lengthy transportation concerns.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Chickamauga, GA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, ensuring individuals can seamlessly manage testing needs without compromising their confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitively priced hair follicle testing services in Chickamauga, GA, come with quick turnaround times, providing significant value for businesses of all sizes. This affordability, coupled with rapid results, makes our testing solutions an efficient and cost-effective choice for employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Chickamauga, GA, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled speed and precision in detecting substance usage. These tests are known for their high accuracy and fast processing times, ensuring rapid and reliable results. The efficiency in obtaining results makes hair testing an ideal choice for employers seeking quick and dependable substance assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By incorporating hair follicle testing, employers in Chickamauga, GA, can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method helps reduce legal liabilities and promotes a safer, healthier work environment, offering peace of mind by maintaining compliance and workplace integrity.

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