Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Forest Park, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Through the encapsulation of biomarkers in the fibers of growing strands, hair offers a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drugs. When collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection span reaching up to three months for various substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, rather challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests that include EtG, add-ons, or exceed ten panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's recommended to determine the weight of the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is viable for collection. Reference to head hair exclusively implies scalp hair, while body hair denotes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening entails an expedient preliminary check for substance misuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most specimens, a positive outcome in this step necessitates confirmation for legal admission. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require further validation.

If Screening suggests a presumptive positive, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is particularly challenging.

Confirming any positive screening results involves techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive specimens undergo washing before their confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with more limited detection times.
• High integrity: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical insight: It can outline a pattern of substance use over time, rather than only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drug detectability in hair requires about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to alternative methods.
• Variable results: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Forest Park, GA, surpasses traditional urine tests with its superior detection ability and reliability. Employers find hair tests more precise and trustworthy.

The advantages of hair testing over urine include an extended detection period and an observed collection process, which makes it hard to tamper with or cheat.

Extended Detection Window

One of the major advantages of hair follicle testing in Forest Park, GA, is its extensive detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days.

Employers gain a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history with hair follicle tests, offering insight beyond the short-term limits of other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Forest Park, GA, is highly tamper-resistant, with a method that minimizes sample adulteration risks.

This testing method provides trustworthy results due to its robust sample collection process, ensuring reliable substance use detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including in Forest Park, GA, quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services is assured.

Our extensive network offers both local and national testing centers, making drug testing accessible and straightforward wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Forest Park, GA, the simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing addresses privacy and ease-of-use concerns head-on.

From ordering to receiving results, our streamlined procedure ensures customer confidentiality while maintaining the highest standards of testing convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Forest Park, GA, offer excellent value, making hair follicle tests affordable for companies.

For organizations of all sizes, the balance between cost-saving and reliable test outcomes provides substantial peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Forest Park, GA, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid, accurate, and reliable results. These tests stand out for their exceptional precision in identifying substance use, providing highly accurate detection.

The speed with which hair follicle testing delivers accurate results is unparalleled. In Forest Park, GA, this method ensures quick identification of substance use, allowing for swift decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing aids employers in Forest Park, GA, by ensuring compliance with drug-free work policies. This strategy helps reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety.

Employers gain peace of mind with hair follicle tests, knowing their drug policy enforcement is both effective and reliable.

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