Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. The strands of hair preserve biomarker evidence of alcohol and various drugs over time. When collected near the scalp area, hair samples can reveal evidence of drug and alcohol intake over a detection period of up to nearly three months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to manipulate, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests like EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, collecting 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair should be acquired. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The process of laboratory analysis for drug testing consists of four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step involving the registration of a sample into the laboratory's database. This step ensures the sample is securely sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information that is not supplied via an electronic chain of custody.
Screening involves a rapid initial assessment for drug presence. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive result needs confirmation to be legally valid in court. Positive results in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
When a sample appears positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This involves using a technique that extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods such as urine or oral fluid tests. Hence, hair drug screenings are the toughest to perform.
For confirmation of positive screening results, techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Before confirming, all presumptively positive samples are washed if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated in alignment with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In DeSoto, GA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several ways. The tests offer superior accuracy in detecting drug use, making them a preferred choice for stringent drug policies.
While urine tests may detect recent substance use, hair analysis provides a broader detection window, capturing a more comprehensive substance history.
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests are practically cheat-proof, being resilient to standard tampering strategies. This strengthens the reliability of test outcomes, offering peace of mind to employers and legal professionals alike.
Urine tests, though effective in a limited timeframe, lack the extended detection period that hair analysis provides.
Hair follicle testing in DeSoto, GA, offers an extended detection window that proves invaluable to employers. Spanning up to 90 days, it provides a thorough insight into an individual's drug history, supporting more informed decisions.
This extended analysis period means that employers gain clarity over potential hires or existing employees' substance use, resulting in a more secure and drug-free workplace.
With such a comprehensive detection capability, hair analysis often becomes the preferred choice over methods.
Hair follicle tests in DeSoto, GA, offer a robust defense against tampering. Unlike other testing methods easily susceptible to manipulation, these tests significantly minimize the risk of adulteration
Employers and legal bodies alike come to rely on the unquestionable reliability and integrity of hair analysis, making it a trustworthy choice in sensitive testing scenarios.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing ensures unalterable results, enhancing the confidence in the findings. This security feature is especially appreciated in environments where result authenticity is paramount.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including in DeSoto, GA. Our facilities ensure easy access to testing services, streamlining the process for quick and hassle-free experiences.
With centers established across all major cities, obtaining a hair follicle test is straightforward and efficient. This widespread availability suits the needs of both local residents and companies seeking prompt testing solutions and results.
In DeSoto, GA, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step ensures the privacy and ease of use that clients value.
An efficient system means participants are never left uncertain, maintaining transparency and trust throughout the process.
Privacy-conscious individuals appreciate our commitment to confidentiality. Each test is handled professionally, with consideration for the participant's privacy and personal information, bolstering customer confidence.
Our competitive pricing structures in DeSoto, GA, provide excellent value. Hair follicle testing is not only swift and reliable but also affordably priced, making it accessible to companies of varied sizes.
Quick turnaround times further enhance the value, delivering timely results that businesses can act upon promptly and with assurance.
By offering reasonable rates, reliable results, and fast processing times, companies can easily integrate our testing services into their protocols without incurring prohibitive costs.
Hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their swift and accurate results in DeSoto, GA. With precise detection capabilities, these tests effectively identify substance use, ensuring reliability and confidence in the results.
Presenting a powerful advantage over other testing methods, hair analysis provides near-instant feedback, minimizing the wait times employers and individuals experience during testing processes.
The precision of hair follicle testing in detecting substances is unparalleled. High accuracy levels help reinforce trust in the results, which are crucial when making critical employment or legal decisions.
Employers can rest assured that the data they receive is not only fast but also dependable, fostering an environment of transparency and accountability.
In DeSoto, GA, hair follicle testing ensures strong compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This approach mitigates legal risks, fostering a safer environment for both employers and employees.
Through reliable testing, companies experience peace of mind, knowing their drug-free policies are implemented effectively and errors in judgments are minimized.
Employing hair analysis strengthens workplace safety and reduces the risk of drug-related incidents. It helps companies maintain their commitment to a substance-free work environment, which ultimately benefits both the organization and its workforce.
