Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged for effectively identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair serves as a comprehensive record of substance use, as it entraps biomarkers in the hair strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol consumption for up to a 3-month timeframe. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipment is uncomplicated.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately matching the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and validation. For EtG and supplementary or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If there's no scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of drug tests involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step, integrating the sample into the laboratory system. This entails ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data that wasn't supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary step to detect drug presence. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates verification for legal acceptability. Positive indications in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
For samples preliminarily positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analyses.
Confirmation of positive Screening results employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive outcomes are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accredited according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair to urine drug tests in Manassas, GA, hair testing stands out for superior detection and reliability. Its extended detection window and resistance to tampering make it advantageous over urine tests.
The hair follicle test offers an extended detection period, making it ideal for tracking long-term drug usage in Manassas, GA.
In Manassas, GA, hair follicle tests are known for their tamper-resistant nature, providing credible results.
With widespread testing centers, access in Manassas, GA, is effortless. Nationwide availability means convenience and reliability in drug testing.
In Manassas, GA, the hair follicle drug testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to results, confidentiality is maintained.
Our services in Manassas, GA offer affordable pricing and swift turnaround times.
In Manassas, GA, hair follicle drug tests have been acknowledged for their precision and speed. Quick and reliable results are a hallmark of this testing method, ensuring individuals and employers can trust the outcomes.
Employers in Manassas, GA, trusting hair follicle tests gain compliance and peace of mind.