Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the expanding hair fiber. When harvested from near the scalp, hair provides a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, equals 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for examination and verification. For EtG, additional checks, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the integration of a sample into a lab's framework. This step verifies correct sealing and dispatch of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data recording absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs an initial swift assessment for substance abuse. While it's a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening demand a subsequent validation.
For samples preliminarily positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques.
Confirmation for any preliminary positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests in Clarendon Hills, IL. One key benefit is its prolonged detection window, spanning up to 90 days, which provides a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use over time. In contrast, urine tests generally detect recent drug use, typically within a few days.
This extended detection period makes hair follicle testing more effective for monitoring chronic substance abuse patterns.
With a detection window extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing provides employers in Clarendon Hills, IL with a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history. This extensive window is crucial for employers who need to ensure a drug-free workplace. By covering a broader timeframe, hair tests help identify chronic drug use that may not be detected by shorter-term tests.
The hair follicle testing method in Clarendon Hills, IL significantly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration. In contrast to urine tests, which can be tampered with or substituted, hair follicle samples offer reliable results. The test's integrity ensures that outcomes remain indisputable, providing peace of mind to those relying on the accuracy of the results for critical decisions.
The extensive network of testing centers in Clarendon Hills, IL provides convenient access to hair follicle testing services. This widespread availability across the nation ensures that individuals can easily find a testing location near them. Quick and hassle-free access to testing services streamlines the process, making it straightforward and accessible for everyone involved.
The hair follicle testing process in Clarendon Hills, IL is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are streamlined to prioritize ease of use and privacy. This attention to confidentiality ensures that individuals can engage in the testing process without concern for their personal information, promoting confidence in the service.
In Clarendon Hills, IL, hair follicle testing is not only reliable but also competitively priced. Offering fast turnaround times, the service delivers excellent value to companies of all sizes. This affordability, paired with rapid results, ensures that businesses receive the best possible service with minimal disruption and maximum benefit.
The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Clarendon Hills, IL is unrivaled. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle examinations offer highly accurate results, reliably tracking drug usage over time. This level of accuracy assures employers and legal entities that they are making informed decisions based on trustworthy data. Moreover, the results are quick to process, providing timely information when it matters.
Employers in Clarendon Hills, IL benefit from hair follicle tests that ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method helps mitigate legal risks and enhances safety by reliably detecting drug use over time. By implementing hair testing, businesses protect themselves legally while promoting a secure working environment, offering employers peace of mind.
