Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The growing hair strand encapsulates biomarkers, offering a long-term record of alcohol and substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can reveal drug and alcohol use over an approximate three-month span. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
An ideal test involves a 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil), yielding 100mg—optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional evaluations, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable volume of body hair is suitable. References to head hair imply only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab handling of a drug test outcome undergoes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase, integrating a sample into a lab's system. This process involves ensuring the sample is adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive outcome requires verification for legal admissibility. Any samples showing tentative positives in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
On detection of a tentative positive during Screening, extra hair is sourced from the primary specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drug compounds are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than those found using alternative methods (like urine or oral fluid), posing challenges in hair drug analysis.
Confirming any positive screen result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each sample with a preliminary positive is cleansed before confirmation, as necessary. The complete lab operation from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," this procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Greshamville, GA
Extended Detection Window in Greshamville, GA
Among the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its prolonged detection period. This method allows employers a much broader view, tracing substance usage back up to 90 days. Such extensive monitoring aids in evaluating an employee's or a potential hire's long-term drug usage history, offering assurance of a safer, compliant workforce.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Greshamville, GA
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Greshamville, GA
Test centers are conveniently located, ensuring quick and easy access for individuals. With nationwide center availability, drug testing becomes hassle-free, providing easy access right from Greshamville, GA. The accessibility of multiple locations guarantees that testing is both accessible and efficient.
Simple, Confidential Process in Greshamville, GA
Ordering, completing, and receiving results from a hair drug test is a straightforward process. Designed with confidentiality at its core, this ensures that users in Greshamville, GA can engage with the service without concerns over privacy or efficiency. Each step is streamlined for user convenience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Greshamville, GA
Competitive pricing plans combined with speedy result availability guarantee high value for businesses, irrespective of size. The hair drug testing offering is designed to be cost-effective without compromising on quality or speed, delivering peace of mind and reliability together for all.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Greshamville, GA
Using hair follicle analysis, individuals can receive quick and accurate results. With its precise capabilities, the test accurately detects substance usage, providing unmatched reliability.
This efficiency ensures that both individuals and employers get the most dependable results they require, efficiently meeting their drug testing needs.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Greshamville, GA
Using hair follicle tests can help ensure workplaces follow drug-free policies, significantly reducing legal liabilities and promoting safety. Employers are assured of reliable outcomes, building a safer environment for all. Adopting hair testing practices offers both compliance confidence and security assurance.
