Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair creates a historical record by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to three months. It's easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to ship.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) proximal to the scalp is needed to yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measurement is suggested. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" pertains specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The process of obtaining a result from a drug test in the lab includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the phase where a sample is cataloged into a lab’s system, confirming the sample’s proper seal and transport, allocating a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry that electronic systems haven't addressed.
Screening offers a preliminary examination for substances. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug presence in most cases, positive outcomes must be verified to hold in court. Thus, samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
A presumptive positive in the Screening necessitates extracting more hair from the original sample for the Extraction phase. This involves retrieving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than in other forms like urine, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
For any Screening that returns positive, Confirmation is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, samples showing presumptive positives are cleansed as needed. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP guidelines (College of American Pathologists) and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Crestwood, IL: Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests with its superior detection accuracy and reliability. It traces long-term drug usage, unlike urine tests, which cover shorter windows. Its immune to substitution or dilution tricks make it a preferred choice. In Crestwood, where stringent policies matter, hair testing ensures more rigorous adherence to protocols.
Extended Detection Window in Crestwood, IL: The unparalleled advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection period, spanning up to 90 days. This feature allows employers in Crestwood to gain a panoramic view of a person's substance use. Unlike urine tests that capture recent drug use, hair tests provide a historical perspective, ensuring informed decision-making that aligns with workplace policies.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Crestwood, IL: Hair follicle tests dramatically reduce the risk of sample adulteration in Crestwood. The integrity of these tests is hard to dispute, offering reliable and undeniable results. Their resistance to substitution or any form of tampering ensures a trustworthy evaluation, making them a staple in substance detection for organizations and legal systems alike.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Crestwood, IL: Accredited Drug Testing boasts a comprehensive network of testing centers across the nation, including Crestwood. This widespread availability ensures swift and convenient service for all testing needs. Without the hassle of long waits or travel, individuals and employers alike can access top-tier testing services with ease and efficiency.
Simple, Confidential Process in Crestwood, IL: Our process for ordering, taking, and receiving results is designed with simplicity and confidentiality at its core. In Crestwood, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that privacy concerns are respected and addressed, offering a straightforward method for individuals and organizations seeking reliable drug testing services without compromising personal information and integrity.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Crestwood, IL: With competitive pricing structures, Accredited Drug Testing provides high value with swift turnaround times. Businesses of all sizes in Crestwood can capitalize on exceptional pricing without sacrificing quality or speed, guaranteeing prompt and precise results. This affordability coupled with efficiency makes it a strategic choice for substance testing.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Crestwood, IL: The hair follicle drug tests in Crestwood offer precision and timely results, setting a benchmark in detecting substance use reliably. With superior accuracy, these tests efficiently identify drug usage, providing vital data swiftly. Employers rely on these tests for their speed and precision, ensuring a sound and well-informed decision-making process when it comes to substance detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Crestwood, IL: Utilizing hair follicle tests ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, curbing legal risks in Crestwood. It also enhances safety by consistently providing dependable results. Employers find peace of mind knowing they are upholding their commitment to a safe and compliant workplace environment through this proven method.