Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing has become a highly efficient method for identifying the usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair accumulates a sustained record of substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeframe of up to about three months for substances such as alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect hair, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests that include EtG, additional panels, or exceed 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen should be used. It's advisable to use a jeweler's scale for specimen measurement. If hair from the scalp is not an option, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
There are four pivotal stages in the processing of drug test results in laboratories: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step, where the sample is integrated into a laboratory's system. This involves confirming the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any metadata entry not available via an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary check for illicit drugs. Even though Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use across most samples, a positive finding necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary validation.
When a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. This process involves isolating drugs from hair at substantially lower concentrations than alternative methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening substantially complex to carry out.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is achieved through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positivity are cleaned as required prior to confirmation. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed using both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Crystal Lake, CT, hair follicle testing offers more reliable drug detection than traditional urine tests. This method gives superior accuracy, reducing the likelihood of tampered samples.
Employers prefer hair testing because it uncovers drug use with greater reliability and precision, enhancing workplace safety protocols.
Hair follicle tests in Crystal Lake, CT, provide an extensive view of drug use with a 90-day detection window. Employers gain insight into long-term substance habits.
Unlike other methods, this testing allows a detailed examination of an applicant's history, ensuring informed decisions about potential hires.
In Crystal Lake, CT, hair follicle methods drastically cut down sample tampering risks, ensuring unquestionable results. This builds trust in the testing process.
These tests are less prone to adulteration compared to urine tests, fortifying reliability and protecting against inaccurate data compromise.
With convenient locations nationwide, drug testing in Crystal Lake, CT, is simple and accessible. Multiple centers provide easy access to prompt testing services.
Effective network coverage guarantees quick results, from local facilities to nationwide branches, streamlining the entire process for users.
In Crystal Lake, CT, our hair testing process prioritizes confidentiality and ease, ensuring privacy in ordering and receiving drug results.
From initiating the test to result collection, procedures remain seamless and user-friendly, emphasizing secure client interactions.
Our Crystal Lake, CT, drug testing services feature competitive pricing and quick processing, offering top value to companies.
Employers experience fast turnarounds and cost efficiencies, gaining confidence in both service quality and budget management.
The rapidity and precision of hair follicle testing in Crystal Lake, CT, are unmatched. High accuracy in detecting drugs ensures dependable results, providing clarity for decision-makers.
With expedited results, substance detection becomes straightforward. Reliable outcomes empower employers to maintain safe environments.
Using hair follicle testing in Crystal Lake, CT, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal exposure and boosting safety.
Employers enjoy peace of mind, knowing their procedures adhere to strict standards and bolster operational security by deterring substance misuse.