Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug exposure by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken from near the scalp, hair can indicate up to a 3-month history for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. Note that head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial introduction of a sample into the laboratory system. This process ensures the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective means to discount drug use for most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening require secondary confirmation.
If the Screening stage yields a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further testing. During the Extraction phase, drugs are removed from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods, such as urine or oral fluid tests, making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS analyses. Any presumptive positive samples are pre-washed as needed before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Hair tests are frequently called "hair follicle tests", but they actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Dolton, IL, hair follicle testing offers substantial benefits over traditional urine tests. The most evident advantage is the ability of hair tests to detect substances over a more extended period, providing a thorough substance use history. This extensiveness makes it superior in revealing patterns rather than momentary use.
The methodology behind hair testing ensures that tampering is highly unlikely, further amplifying credibility. Traditional urine tests may miss prolonged substance use, highlighting the superior accuracy hair testing affords.
One of the primary advantages of hair follicle testing in Dolton, IL, is its ability to reflect drug use over an extended timeframe, up to 90 days. This long detection window offers employers and institutions a comprehensive view beyond the recent days, capturing prolonged substance patterns.
Employers can rely on this extensive window to make informed decisions, having a complete perspective on an applicant or employee’s substance use history, rather than the brief snapshot urine tests provide.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests adds a significant layer of assurance in Dolton, IL. Unlike urine tests, hair specimens are hard to adulterate, minimizing the risk of false results. Collectors monitor the process directly, ensuring authenticity and integrity of the sample.
This reliability makes hair follicle tests particularly valued in scenarios demanding maximum accuracy and minimal interference, paving the way for unquestionable findings and peace of mind.
Dolton, IL, enjoys the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's wide network of centers nationwide. These strategically situated locations provide easy and swift access to comprehensive drug testing services, ensuring minimal disruption in scheduling.
This extensive reach guarantees efficient service regardless of location, offering a seamless experience for individuals and businesses seeking reliable testing solutions.
In Dolton, IL, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test online to collection and receiving results, every step safeguards personal privacy, with user-friendly procedures.
This emphasis on confidentiality and simplicity alleviates privacy concerns, enabling users to engage in the drug testing process seamlessly and with confidence, knowing their data is secure.
Accredited Drug Testing in Dolton, IL, offers competitively priced hair follicle testing with rapid results, ensuring excellent value for organizations. Quick turnaround times mean companies can make decisions promptly without compromising quality.
Affordable options make this advanced testing method accessible to businesses of all sizes, maintaining quality service within budgetary constraints and fostering trust through cost-effective solutions.
Hair follicle tests in Dolton, IL deliver results both swiftly and accurately. The precision of these tests allows for the reliable detection of various substances over time. By using hair specimens, testing is less likely to be affected by short-term abstinence, ensuring that results are consistent and dependable.
Accurate outcomes are paramount, and the quick turnaround time of results aids employers and individuals who need timely information. Speed and precision are the dual strengths making hair follicle drug testing highly valued in Dolton.
Employers in Dolton, IL, experience enhanced compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. These tests align with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and reinforcing a safe work environment.
With long detection periods and tamper-proof methods, hair testing discourages substance abuse, further supporting the establishment of secure and compliant workspaces. Implementing this can lead to reliable operations devoid of drugs.
