Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has established itself as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month timeline for alcohol and drug detection. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipment is convenient.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests surpassing 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, it strictly refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in a lab’s processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the introductory phase where a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. This step verifies the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. While it is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive result during screening demands verification to be accepted legally. Samples deemed presumptively positive necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample registers a preliminary positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen to prep for Extraction. Drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations here than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as particularly intricate.
Verification of any positive screen is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo a cleaning process before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Valley, GA
Hair tests offer better detection than traditional urine tests, showcasing superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing detects substance use over a longer period, ensuring that no detail escapes scrutiny, offering a more complete insight into one's historical drug use.
Extended Detection Window in Valley, GA
Hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This offers employers in Valley, GA a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, enabling informed decisions based on a comprehensive assessment of long-term behavior.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Valley, GA
The integrity of hair follicle tests significantly diminishes the risk of sample tampering. Hair testing in Valley, GA assures reliable results, using a method that is nearly impossible to adulterate, offering peace of mind through dependable sample collection and testing processes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Valley, GA
Our extensive network of testing centers offers convenience, providing easy and hassle-free access to services nationwide, including in Valley, GA. These strategic locations ensure timely and straightforward testing procedures for all clients.
Simple, Confidential Process in Valley, GA
The hair testing process in Valley, GA is straightforward and ensures confidentiality. The procedure for ordering, performing, and obtaining results is designed to safeguard privacy, delivering a user-friendly experience that prioritizes security and ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Valley, GA
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times provide excellent value for businesses in Valley, GA. By offering cost-effective solutions and prompt results, we ensure that companies, regardless of size, can maintain peace of mind through our dependable services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Valley, GA
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their rapid precision and reliability. Their high accuracy makes them an invaluable tool in detecting substance use, ensuring quick and trustworthy results. By using hair testing, results are delivered with unmatched confidence, maintaining a high standard of drug screening accuracy in Valley, GA.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Valley, GA
Employing hair follicle testing supports workplace compliance with drug-free policies. This proactive approach reduces legal risks and enhances safety measures, particularly in Valley, GA, contributing to a secure and law-abiding work environment.
