Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atoka, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. A sample taken close to the scalp can offer an approximate 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair sampling is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (aproximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (beard, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This phase ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug presence. While it offers an economical means of dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to hold legal validity. Samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are drawn from the hair at significantly diminished concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmed positive screening results undergo validation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The whole lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, undergoes review adhering to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Compromising the integrity of a hair drug test is quite challenging, thus the results tend to be more accurate.
• Offers historical insights: It presents a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify immediate use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing options.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal disparities in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Referred to frequently as "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine TestingIn Atoka, TN, hair follicle tests offer numerous advantages over traditional urine tests, proving superior in detection and reliability.

• Extended detection window offers a broader scope of analysis.
• Difficult to tamper with hair samples compared to urine.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection WindowHair follicle testing in Atoka, TN provides a longer detection period for drug use, typically up to 90 days. This offers employers a detailed view of an individual’s substance history.

• Allows for thorough background assessments on applicants.
• Ensures ongoing employee compliance with substance use policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing MethodIn Atoka, TN, hair follicle tests drastically minimize the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable outcomes.

• The collection process is minimally invasive yet secure.
• Provides peace of mind with nearly unalterable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing and Local LocationsOur centers offer extensive reach and accessibility, making drug testing hassle-free for individuals in Atoka, TN.

• Locations are strategically placed for ease of access.
• Ensures rapid, convenient service across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential ProcessThe hair follicle testing procedure in Atoka, TN is straightforward and discreet, focusing on privacy and user friendliness.

• Ordering tests is simple and streamlined.
• Results are delivered with utmost confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast TurnaroundAccredited Drug Testing in Atoka, TN offers competitive pricing structures paired with fast turnaround times.

• Provides excellent value for businesses of any size.
• Ensures swift processing of results to accommodate urgent needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable ResultsHair follicle drug testing in Atoka, TN is lauded for its precision and efficiency. These tests offer high accuracy in identifying substance use, surpassing traditional methods.

• State-of-the-art methodologies ensure results are delivered swiftly.
• Accuracy in detection creates confidence in the outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for EmployersOpting for hair follicle testing in Atoka, TN helps businesses adhere to drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal risks while promoting safety.

• Reinforces the implementation of strict company regulations.
• Enhances confidence in maintaining workplace integrity.

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