Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating markers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch specimen of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug testing outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process ensures that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial brief test for illicit drugs. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legitimate in legal proceedings. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening need a subsequent validation.
Should a sample be preliminarily positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. At this phase, substances are drawn from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumably positive samples are cleaned before confirmation, if necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Marietta, GA, the advantages are clear. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, capable of uncovering substance use that urine tests might miss. This reliability is crucial for companies enforcing stringent drug-free policies.
The ability of hair follicle testing to detect drug use over up to 90 days provides Marietta, GA employers with a thorough picture of an individual’s substance history. This long detection window ensures a comprehensive assessment, surpassing the short-term insights provided by urine tests.
Hair follicle tests in Marietta, GA significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering, ensuring that results are both reliable and verifiable. This resistance to adulteration provides confidence in the accuracy of test outcomes, unlike some traditional testing methods that are more susceptible to manipulation.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including in Marietta, GA, accessing hair follicle testing is seamless. Our extensive network allows for quick, hassle-free service, aligning with the needs of clients for an efficient testing process, regardless of their location.
In Marietta, GA, the process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and discreet. This approach addresses concerns of privacy while ensuring that the process remains user-friendly, offering an experience that's both simple and confidential.
Competitive pricing combined with fast turnaround times makes hair follicle testing in Marietta, GA an attractive option for businesses. This cost-effectiveness offers significant value, allowing companies of various sizes to maintain budget-friendly, efficient testing practices.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle testing make it a trusted option in Marietta, GA. Its high accuracy rate outshines other methods, ensuring reliable substance use detection. Results are processed quickly, providing both peace of mind and swift action for employers needing fast and dependable screening methods.
Employers in Marietta, GA benefit from the compliance and reassurance provided by hair follicle testing. By ensuring alignment with drug-free workplace policies, businesses can minimize legal risks and foster a safer work environment, enhancing overall workplace integrity.
