Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has increasingly become a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol use. The fibers of a growing hair strand capture biomarkers, providing a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a window of detection for alcohol and drugs lasting up to roughly 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested that the specimen be weighed with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar volume of body hair can be collected. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the introductory processing of a sample within a lab's framework. This step verifies that the sample was securely sealed and correctly shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive Screening requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to execute.
Any positive screen result is confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
Superiority Over Urine Testing
In Tiger, GA, hair follicle tests overshadow traditional urine tests due to their superior accuracy.
The main edge of hair testing over urine comes from its reliability and extended timeline. Employers who prioritize rigorous drug use policies can benefit greatly from the continuous advancements in hair follicle testing technology.
Extended Detection Window
Employers in Tiger, GA, find a significant advantage in the extensive detection timeline offered by hair follicle tests.
Hair follicle testing's extended detection ability provides Tiger, GA employers with substantial insights into an individual's past substance use, surpassing typical detection periods of other testing methods.
Resilient Against Tampering
In Tiger, GA, the hair follicle test stands firm against sample tampering.
The robustness of hair follicle testing in Tiger, GA, ensures high confidence levels in the results, significantly minimizing risks of tampered samples, thereby safeguarding the accuracy of substance testing.
Convenient Testing Locations
With nationwide and local testing centers, Tiger, GA residents experience unparalleled convenience.
Individuals and businesses in Tiger, GA, can benefit from our strategic location network, guaranteeing hassle-free access to efficient, high-quality hair follicle testing services.
Simple and Confidential
In Tiger, GA, ease and confidentiality are key in hair testing procedures.
The efficient system in place at Accredited Drug Testing ensures a straightforward, discreet experience for Tiger, GA residents, answering privacy concerns while maintaining accessibility.
Economical and Efficient
In Tiger, GA, Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing with swift results, ideal for all business scales.
For Tiger, GA companies, the blend of quick response times and economical fees offered by Accredited Drug Testing creates an outstanding resource for all testing necessities.
Speed and Precision
In Tiger, GA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results, making them ideal for detecting substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Tiger, GA, offers exceptional accuracy, identifying substances even in challenging scenarios. With its swift result processing and reliable data, businesses can trust these tests to uphold high standards of drug-free workplaces.
Ensuring Compliance and Safety
For employers in Tiger, GA, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Tiger, GA, supports a safe and compliant work environment, solidifying an organization’s commitment to preventing substance misuse.
