Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
As an effective measure for detecting substance use, hair testing is increasingly recognized. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers, hair reveals a prolonged history of drug and alcohol use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for identifying alcohol and other substances. It is easy to collect, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. Scalp hair specifically refers to head hair, whereas body hair indicates all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in a laboratory follows four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing as it enters a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not furnished by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment for substance misuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to reject drug usage in most samples, any positive result requires confirmation to be considered valid in legal settings. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening must undergo additional verification.
When a sample is presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other tests (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is carried out using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo a wash before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this analysis examines the hair strand instead of the follicle underneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Belle Rive, IL, outperforms traditional urine tests. It boasts superior detection accuracy, capturing drug use history over a much longer period. Unlike urine tests that may fail to detect long-term use, hair testing uncovers patterns of substance use with unmatched reliability, providing complete peace of mind to those concerned about drug-free environments.
In Belle Rive, IL, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing serves employers by providing a thorough look at an individual's drug usage history over a span of up to 90 days. By utilizing this testing method, employers gain insight not just into recent activities but into larger patterns of substance use behavior.
Hair follicle testing in Belle Rive, IL, stands out as a tamper-resistant option. By significantly reducing the potential for sample adulteration, this method ensures that test results are dependable and unquestionable. Employers can rely on this process to uphold stringent drug-free policies within their organizations.
Convenient access to testing services is paramount in Belle Rive, IL, with Accredited Drug Testing providing local and nationwide locations. This widespread availability guarantees a hassle-free, quick, and easy procedure, catering to the needs of businesses regardless of their geographic positioning.
In Belle Rive, IL, Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple and confidential process for ordering and conducting hair follicle tests. This system addresses privacy concerns with ease, allowing individuals and businesses to carry out necessary testing without complexity or risk to their personal information.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround, hair follicle testing in Belle Rive, IL, presents affordable options that don't compromise on quality. Companies of all sizes can benefit from these services, enjoying the value and prompt results that meet their fiscal and operational needs.
In Belle Rive, IL, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. Unlike other testing methods, these tests offer precision in detecting substance use, minimizing uncertainty. Employers trust hair tests for timely results and unequivocal conclusions, ensuring that quick decisions can be made regarding candidates and employees.
Utilizing hair follicle testing services in Belle Rive, IL, ensures employer compliance with workplace drug-free standards. This process diminishes legal risks and bolsters workplace safety, granting companies peace of mind as they adhere to mandated regulations while fostering a secure working environment.
