Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. It offers an extended historical record of substance presence by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair is not only easy to gather and somewhat hard to tamper with but also convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) cut nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean specifically scalp hair, while body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The method for processing a drug test result in a laboratory is divided into four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process confirms the sample was properly sealed and transported, generates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data input absent from an electronic tracking system.
Screening involves a preliminary examination for substance abuse. Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most cases, but a positive outcome necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
For samples identified as potentially positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drug compounds are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug testing is exceptionally complex.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples are cleansed when necessary. The entire testing process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the actual procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Fair Oaks, GA, hair follicle testing offers a range of advantages over traditional urine tests. It boasts superior detection accuracy, with a detection window extending up to 90 days. Hair tests are harder to manipulate, providing employers with increased reliability, especially for policies with zero-tolerance towards drug use.
One significant advantage of hair follicle tests is their extended detection window, which spans up to 90 days. This offers employers in Fair Oaks, GA, a thorough view of an individual’s substance use history, making it easier to evaluate both current and prospective employees for more informed hiring decisions.
Hair follicle drug testing in Fair Oaks, GA, provides a tamper-resistant drug screening method, minimizing the chances of sample adulteration. This method ensures that the results are reliable and unquestionable, reducing the possibilities of manipulation common in other testing types like urine.
Residents and employers in Fair Oaks, GA, benefit from the convenience of having nationwide testing locations. With testing centers in local areas, accessing test services becomes quick and hassle-free, encouraging regular screenings and proactive substance oversight.
Our hair follicle testing process in Fair Oaks, GA, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ordering, conducting the test, and receiving the results are simplified, with a strong emphasis on protecting individual privacy, which assures a stress-free experience for all participants involved.
In Fair Oaks, GA, our team offers affordable pricing structures for hair follicle tests. Coupled with fast turnaround times, we ensure that companies of all sizes get excellent value for their investment, easing racial concerns, and promoting widespread implementation of workplace safety measures.
The hair follicle drug test offers precision and speed, offering Fair Oaks, GA, residents a reliable solution for substance detection needs. Its accuracy ensures substance use detection even when other methods fail. This highly precise testing method provides fast results, allowing individuals and organizations to act swiftly.
For employers in Fair Oaks, GA, hair follicle tests ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks while enhancing workplace safety by effectively identifying substances over a broader timeline, granting peace of mind and operational assurance.
