Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair sampling is now recognized as a significant means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a comprehensive timeline of various substances by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's structure as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the girth of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the hair. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used as an alternative. Head hair exclusively pertains to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other hair varieties (like facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The process for evaluating a drug test result in a lab consists of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails integrating a sample into a lab's records. This involves confirming the sample was sealed and shipped appropriately, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing extra data input not present in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary rapid evaluation for drug abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug presence in most cases, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation for legal validity. All samples with a preliminary positive result in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a screening outcome is tentatively positive, more hair is gathered from the initial sample and made ready for Extraction. This step involves extracting substances from the hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with a presumptive positive result are cleansed before confirmation if required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", these actually examine the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the skin.
In Mount Carmel, GA, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests with its superior detection accuracy and reliability. This method offers a longer detection window that urine tests cannot match, ensuring a thorough review of an individual's substance use history.
Hair follicle tests in Mount Carmel, GA present a noteworthy advantage with a detection window of up to 90 days. They allow employers to gain a full perspective on an applicant or employee's past drug use, beyond the limits of time associated with other testing approaches.
The hair follicle testing method in Mount Carmel, GA is highly resistant to tampering, making it difficult to adulterate samples. This leads to trustworthy and indisputable drug testing outcomes, ensuring confidence in the results.
In Mount Carmel, GA, our widespread network of testing centers makes drug testing convenient and straightforward. With nationwide coverage, accessing testing services is seamless, ensuring a stress-free experience for all participants.
Mount Carmel, GA offers a straightforward and confidential process for hair follicle testing. From ordering the test to obtaining results, the procedure respects privacy and ensures ease of use for everyone involved.
Hair follicle testing in Mount Carmel, GA is cost-effective and efficient, featuring competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. This provides exceptional value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes.
Hair follicle drug tests in Mount Carmel, GA provide precision and speed, with unmatched accuracy in detecting substance use. Compared to other methods, hair testing delivers quick and reliable results, enabling informed decision-making.
Employers in Mount Carmel, GA benefit from the peace of mind that hair follicle testing brings, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety, employers can foster a compliant and secure environment.
