Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is gaining recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive record of substance ingestion since it captures biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When cut close to the scalp, hair can indicate substance use over a span of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to send.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for testing and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or extensive tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When head hair is mentioned, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Outline
The four central steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step encompasses confirming the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-saving method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive Screening must be corroborated for court acceptability. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thereby making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if required. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in North Atlanta, GA, surpasses traditional urine testing by offering longer detection windows and more accurate results. Hair tests can detect substance use up to 90 days, while urine tests generally cover only recent use. This allows employers and law enforcement better insight into long-term usage patterns.
The reliability of hair testing is unmatched, providing clear insights into an individual's history with drugs. Unlike urine tests, which can be influenced by recent consumption patterns, hair tests provide a comprehensive record, unaffected by most forms of tampering or adulteration, hence enhancing trust in the outcomes.
In North Atlanta, GA, hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive detection window, tracking substance use up to 90 days prior. This extended detection period gives employers a thorough look into an individual’s substance history. Unlike other tests that focus on short-term use, hair testing ensures detection of consistent patterns of behavior.
The ability of hair follicle tests to look back three months provides a powerful tool for employers and authorities to evaluate long-term substance habits. This extended detection period is crucial for making informed decisions about hiring or maintenance of employment status.
Hair follicle testing in North Atlanta, GA significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring reliable results. The method's inherent resistance to interference provides users with confidence in the authenticity of the collected data.
The process of collecting and analyzing hair samples ensures integrity at each step. This builds assurance in the testing process, making hair follicle tests a trusted option for organizations needing an unassailable testing protocol.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing options across North Atlanta, GA, as well as nationally, ensuring accessibility for all customers. With a network of centers, individuals and companies can access testing without hassle regardless of their location.
Convenience is paramount. Whether you're in North Atlanta or anywhere nationwide, stepping into one of our centers ensures speedy, effortless access to the testing services you need, minimizing disruption and promoting ease of service.
In North Atlanta, GA, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering is streamlined, collection is discreet, and results are communicated promptly, maintaining privacy and consumer comfort throughout. Confidentiality remains a top priority to ensure users' peace of mind.
At every step, from initiation to receiving results, the hair testing process is designed to be user-friendly and private. This approach addresses privacy concerns, ensures data security, and delivers results efficiently, reassuring users they are in trusted hands.
North Atlanta, GA's hair follicle testing services offer affordable pricing without sacrificing quality or speed. Competitive pricing ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes, making rigorous testing accessible and cost-effective while maintaining rapid response times.
Our commitment to affordability combined with fast turnaround times makes hair follicle tests a smart choice. Organizations can rely on our services to provide thorough and reliable results promptly, allowing them to address their drug testing needs without delay.
In North Atlanta, GA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision. The accuracy in substance detection through hair testing surpasses traditional methods, offering results quickly. By employing advanced techniques, these tests ensure the identification of drug use with a high degree of reliability, helping to maintain the integrity of screening processes.
Operators of hair follicle testing in North Atlanta prioritize fast and dependable outcomes. The method's design allows for swift processing, minimizing wait times for results. This rapid turnaround, paired with unparalleled accuracy, makes hair testing an invaluable tool for individuals and organizations needing efficient and clear evaluations of substance use.
In North Atlanta, GA, hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only ensures adherence to regulations but also reduces the risk of legal issues, enhancing overall organizational safety by being less susceptible to manipulation.
Utilizing hair follicle tests ensures that companies can uphold their policies with confidence, knowing that the tests' accuracy and comprehensive detection periods support a safer, more secure workplace. Employers find peace of mind as hair testing provides evidence-backed assurance regarding employees' substance histories.
