Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as a potent modality for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records an extended history of these substances by embedding biomarkers in its growing strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection time frame of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to acquire, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment from approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process involves ensuring that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary speedy examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legal in court. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need a secondary confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this process, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The full laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the testing focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine testing, the benefits in Resaca, GA, become clear. Hair testing not only offers superior detection accuracy but also provides a more reliable method of identifying substance use. While urine tests may detect recent use, hair tests reveal patterns up to 90 days, offering a broader and more extensive view.
Hair testing's vulnerability to tampering is significantly lower compared to urine tests. This enhances its credibility and ensures that employers can maintain a substance-free environment. By choosing hair testing over urine, Resaca businesses can implement stricter and more reliable drug policies.
In Resaca, GA, the advantage of hair follicle testing lies in its extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This broad timeframe provides employers with a clear, long-term view of a candidate's or employee's substance use history. Such thorough data aids in constructing a rounded perspective of an individual's lifestyle choices regarding substances.
Employers in Resaca benefit greatly from this extended window as it aids in making informed hiring decisions and maintaining a safe work environment. Hair testing's ability to detect prolonged drug use far surpasses other methods that offer limited insights into past behaviors, giving businesses an edge in proactive management.
In Resaca, GA, hair follicle testing is a robust solution to the common problem of sample tampering. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests offer a tamper-resistant approach due to their meticulous collection and processing. This assurance of authenticity eliminates doubts about the integrity of the results.
Employing hair follicle testing effectively reduces the risk of adulteration, providing unquestionable outcomes. For Resaca businesses and individuals, this means confidence in the reliability of drug testing, which is vital for maintaining stringent drug use policies and ensuring safety standards.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide and locally in Resaca, GA, providing accessible and user-friendly services. With centers spread across the country, residents and businesses can quickly and easily access drug testing services without any hassle.
This extensive network ensures timely and efficient testing, eliminating the stress of finding a reliable service provider. Resaca locals have the convenience of nearby testing sites, facilitating a seamless testing experience and meeting their needs effortlessly.
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle testing in Resaca, GA, is streamlined and confidential. From start to finish, the procedure is designed to prioritize privacy and simplicity, ensuring a stress-free experience for clients concerned about confidentiality.
Easy access to testing services and secure delivery of results highlight the simplicity of the process. This allows individuals and businesses in Resaca to focus on their needs without the burden of complex procedures, providing an experience tailored to their privacy and ease.
Accredited Drug Testing offers Resaca, GA, competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests, delivering exceptional value to companies of all sizes. Affordable rates coupled with swift processing ensure clients obtain accurate results quickly, maintaining cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality.
The efficient process does not compromise on precision, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious employers. Resaca businesses experience both cost benefits and reliable testing, supporting informed decision-making and fostering a secure working environment.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched detection accuracy for substance use. In Resaca, GA, these tests deliver reliable and swifter outcomes, making them a preferred choice for individuals and employers alike. Hair testing accurately identifies substances over an extended period, ensuring a dependable snapshot of an individual's drug use.
With an efficient collection process, hair follicle testing yields results faster than many other methods. This makes it an essential tool for workplaces seeking prompt and trustworthy data regarding substance use, enabling decisions based on comprehensive insights. Residents and companies in Resaca can count on these efficient tests for peace of mind.
Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, providing peace of mind in Resaca, GA. By opting for this reliable method, employers reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety, solidifying their commitment to a drug-free environment. Compliance with stringent drug policies is effortlessly maintained.
Embracing hair follicle testing can lead to better adherence to safety regulations and minimizes potential liabilities. As companies aim to foster safe working conditions, utilizing this method guarantees they meet legal requirements while supporting employee well-being. Resaca employers benefit from a secure and compliant workforce.
