Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Detecting drug and alcohol usage has increasingly leveraged hair testing due to its effectiveness. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. By acquiring hair near the scalp, a detection period extending up to roughly three months is achievable for various substances. This method is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's beneficial to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. 'Head hair' specifically denotes scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses other hair types (such as facial and underarm hair).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result comprises four fundamental stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s workflow. It includes verifying the sample's adequate sealing and shipment, granting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any data input absent in an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening involves an initial, rapid assessment for substance misuse. While Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples presumed positive in Screening must undergo secondary verification.
Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is utilized for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (like urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as a particularly intricate procedure.
The Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to Confirmation when requisite. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," this test assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Sandy Springs, SC, hair follicle tests provide a significant advantage over urine tests due to their superior detection accuracy. These tests offer a more reliable account of drug usage by tracing substances over extended periods, thereby offering a clearer picture compared to traditional urine analysis.
Extended Detection Period in Sandy Springs, SC, boosts the appeal of hair follicle tests. Unlike urine tests, hair samples can reveal drug use history up to 90 days prior, offering an in-depth understanding of an individual's substance exposure, thereby assisting employers in making informed decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Method made possible by hair follicle tests in Sandy Springs, SC, dramatically curtails the possibility of adulteration. This ensures that the results are not only accurate but also trustworthy, because the physical characteristics of hair samples make manipulation nearly impossible.
Accredited Drug Testing’s expansive network guarantees Convenient Testing Locations for Sandy Springs, SC residents. With centers dotted nationwide, accessing drug testing services is straightforward and efficient, meeting the needs of both individuals and companies swiftly.
Simple and Confidential Process defines the service experience in Sandy Springs, SC. Ordering, conducting, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests are streamlined and discreet, ensuring privacy concerns are addressed while simplifying the overall testing journey.
Our services in Sandy Springs, SC, are backed by Affordable Pricing and prompt results. With competitive rate structures paired with swift turnaround times, businesses of all sizes can find value and assurance, knowing they receive quality services at reasonable costs.
The efficiency and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests in Sandy Springs, SC, guarantee reliable results. These tests are celebrated for their precision in detecting substance use quickly. With an advanced testing methodology, hair analysis confidently identifies drug consumption, fostering trust and dependability in test outcomes.
Employers in Sandy Springs, SC, can benefit from the compliance that hair follicle testing offers. This testing method supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, thus reducing legal liabilities, elevating company standards, and contributing to a safer work environment.
