Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Garden Lakes, Georgia. For those in need of hair drug or alcohol tests, Accredited Drug Testing is a specialist in this field, with centers located nationwide to conduct these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body can be utilized for testing purposes. These tests can be customized to detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specific requirements.
In recent years, the use of hair follicle drug tests has become increasingly common for drug testing. Many employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals are opting for hair drug testing over traditional urine tests. Hair follicle drug tests are favored by organizations with strict no-drug policies, including companies, courts, and probation services. The main advantage is a significantly longer drug detection window, up to 90 days, collected through direct observation, making it highly resistant to tampering. However, for detecting recent drug use within the last five days, urine tests remain the most reliable option.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, offering a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising about 200 strands of hair (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for analysis. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, equivalent body hair may be used. Regarding head hair, we mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory's system. It involves assuring proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes an initial, swift assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be validated to be legally accepted. Samples that are seemingly positive in Screening need a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower levels compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages in Garden Lakes, GA. It provides superior detection accuracy and is harder to compromise. While urine tests can detect recent use, hair tests account for substance use over a longer period, up to 90 days, providing a broader understanding of a person's drug history.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Garden Lakes, GA, is a key benefit. Capturing drug use up to 90 days prior offers employers a detailed view of an individual’s substance history. This broader timeframe gives context beyond a recent snapshot, which can be crucial in employment and legal settings.
Hair follicle tests are renowned in Garden Lakes, GA, for being tamper-resistant. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring that results are both reliable and beyond reproach. The collection method is overseen, ensuring integrity from the start of the process.
Convenience is a hallmark of our testing services, with numerous nationwide and local locations available in Garden Lakes, GA. This extensive network ensures that clients have quick, hassle-free access to testing, making the process as seamless as possible regardless of location.
The hair follicle testing process in Garden Lakes, GA, is simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, each step is designed with user privacy in mind. The commitment to confidentiality ensures that personal information remains secure, easing any privacy concerns clients may have.
In Garden Lakes, GA, our pricing remains affordable, paired with a fast turnaround. This combination provides exceptional value for companies of all sizes, allowing them to manage costs while receiving timely results that support operational needs and decision-making processes.
In Garden Lakes, GA, hair follicle drug testing is synonymous with accuracy and speed. This method provides fast and reliable results, thanks to its ability to precisely detect a range of substances. The precision of hair testing ensures that any substance use is accurately logged, offering peace of mind to clients who rely on dependable outcomes.
For employers in Garden Lakes, GA, hair follicle testing provides both compliance and peace of mind. It aligns with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and promoting a safe working environment. This method supports organizational efforts to maintain a culture of accountability and safety.