Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an influential method for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand’s fibers as it grows. When sourced nearest the scalp, hair offers close to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) from nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, deemed the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be lacking, an equal amount of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair specify scalp hair alone, while body hair pertains to other hair types (e.g., facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The pivotal steps in processing a drug test in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the entry of a sample into a lab’s database at the start. It entails checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data submission not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary quick test for drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome must be validated for court use. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample be flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage retrieves drugs from hair at low concentrations, which is why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging methodology compared to others like urine or oral fluid testing.
Positive screening confirmations are performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing as part of the confirmation process when needed. The complete lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is audited using the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in alignment with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the hair follicle itself.
Hair follicle testing in Young Harris, GA, stands out over traditional urine tests due to enhanced detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests that detect recent use, hair tests cover up to 90 days, ensuring thorough insight into substance habits. This broader timeframe offers better visibility into user patterns.
Employers favor hair testing as it reliably identifies long-term drug use while urine tests only target recent consumption. This detail aids employers in decision-making, ensuring workplace safety and compliance, given their high reliability.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage for employers in Young Harris, GA. Capable of revealing drug use spanning up to 90 days, it provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history. This longer window helps in making informed hiring or retention decisions.
Unlike traditional testing methods, hair follicle tests can capture a more extensive history, aiding employers in evaluating applicants' or employees' past behaviors. This not only strengthens workplace safety but also enhances policy compliance efforts.
The hair follicle drug test is a tamper-resistant method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration in Young Harris, GA. By using hair samples, manipulation is minimized, allowing for dependable results that withstand scrutiny. Employers can be confident in the test's integrity.
This method's inherent resistance to adulteration makes it an ideal choice for employers seeking reliable evidence of substance use, ensuring both accuracy and trust in test outcomes. Hair tests provide an indisputable assurance against sample tampering.
The convenience of nationwide testing centers extends to Young Harris, GA, ensuring testing services are quick and hassle-free. Our local facilities and centers across the country make it easy for individuals and employers to access testing without delay.
With strategic locations in place, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the testing process for everyone. Whether you're in Young Harris or another city, the breadth of our network means testing services are always within reach, delivered with efficiency.
The hair follicle testing process in Young Harris, GA, is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, collecting, and obtaining results is streamlined, ensuring privacy and ease for all involved. Clients can rest assured about their confidentiality at every step.
Our testing guarantees that concerns around privacy and data protection are addressed seriously. By maintaining a straightforward approach, we ensure that the experience remains stress-free and secure, from start to finish.
Offering affordable pricing structures, hair follicle testing in Young Harris, GA, is accessible to companies of all sizes. Combined with fast turnaround times, our services provide great value and efficiency, making drug testing feasible without financial strain.
The quick processing of results ensures companies can act promptly on findings, enhancing workplace safety and policy compliance. This competitive pricing makes stringent drug policies attainable without sacrificing quality or expeditiousness.
In Young Harris, GA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its speed and accuracy. This method provides rapid and precise identification of substance use, ensuring reliable results in minimal time. With advanced techniques, each test offers a clear reflection of an individual's substance history.
Beyond its speed, the accuracy of hair follicle tests makes them a preferred choice. By identifying drug usage effectively, these tests eliminate doubt, providing certainty and trust in every test undertaken. Candidates can rely on the results, assured of their consistency and precision.
Employers in Young Harris, GA, can rely on hair follicle testing to establish a drug-free workplace, ensuring both compliance and peace of mind. Hair tests align with rigorous drug control policies, reducing potential legal issues while promoting safety at work.
Using hair follicle testing fortifies employer confidence, knowing that their drug policy enforcement is robust and effective. By implementing these tests, workplaces achieve a higher standard of assurance, safeguarding employees and operations alike.
