Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a prolonged history of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion comprising around 200 strands of hair (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels beyond 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair includes all other hair types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is entered into the laboratory’s system. This step confirms that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any data gaps not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening carries out a preliminary check for illegal drugs. Although Screening is an economical way to rule out drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Any sample that shows a potential positive during Screening requires further confirmation.
If a sample appears positive in Screening, additional hair is sourced from the main sample for Extraction. This stage retrieves drugs from the hair at much more diluted levels than other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing particularly challenging.
Verification of any positive screening result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The full laboratory cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Exeter, IL, sees a rising preference for hair follicle drug tests due to their superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests. These tests boast an extended detection period, providing benefits far beyond the capabilities of urine testing in uncovering long-term substance use.
Benefits of Hair Follicle Testing:
In Exeter, IL, hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection period, providing insights into drug use over a 90-day span. This comprehensive window allows employers to assess patterns and trends in an individual’s substance use effectively.
An extended detection window is essential for a deep understanding of an employee’s substance history. With hair testing, detection up to 90 days is possible, painting a clearer picture of one’s substance use habits.
Hair follicle tests in Exeter, IL, greatly mitigate the risks of sample tampering or adulteration. This testing method is designed to be tamper-resistant, thereby delivering trustworthy results that are difficult to manipulate or alter.
Tamper-Resistant Features:
With convenient testing centers located nationwide, including in Exeter, IL, accessing hair testing services is straightforward and hassle-free. This network ensures that individuals and companies can obtain testing easily and efficiently.
Convenience Highlights:
The process in Exeter, IL for utilizing hair follicle drug testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential, catering to privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure upholds simplicity and confidentiality.
Maintaining privacy and simplicity in the testing process reassures individuals and organizations, ensuring ease when navigating the steps from testing to results acquisition.
Exeter, IL offers hair follicle testing with competitively priced options and fast result turnaround times. These economical solutions provide excellent value, catering to the needs of organizations of various sizes, ensuring peace of mind.
Reasonable pricing combined with swift service sets hair testing apart as a viable and cost-effective choice for businesses looking to implement robust drug testing protocols.
In Exeter, IL, the precision and swift results of hair follicle drug tests are noteworthy. These tests are esteemed for their high accuracy in tracking substance use, providing fast and reliable results, making them a favored choice for those requiring detailed insights.
The ability to deliver results rapidly while maintaining high levels of accuracy sets hair follicle tests apart. Individuals and organizations seeking dependable substance use data rely on this method for quick and precise outcomes.
Employing hair follicle testing in Exeter, IL, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks for employers. The reliability of hair testing promotes a safer working environment by affirming adherence to company policies.
By using hair testing, employers gain peace of mind, knowing they are taking concrete steps toward maintaining a secure and compliant workplace, an essential aspect of HR management.
