Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive history of substance use by ensnaring markers in the strands of developing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer about a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp produces 100mg, the perfect amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing. If scalp hair isn’t available, the same amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases in processing a drug result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating the sample into the lab's framework. This process confirms the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completes any additional data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary fast check for illicit substances. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to discard drug use in most cases, a positive result needs confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples that show presumptive positives in Screening need a further confirmatory test.
If Screening suggests a positive, more hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from the hair at notably lower concentrations compared to techniques like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening a challenging method.
Confirmation of positive results is handled via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation if required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp
In Frankfort, IL, hair follicle testing triumphs over traditional urine tests due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a much longer detection window, rendering them more beneficial for comprehensive drug use analysis.
Hair follicle testing in Frankfort, IL, allows for an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This offers employers a thorough perspective of an individual's substance usage history, beneficial for informed decision-making.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Frankfort, IL, significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration. This ensures that the results obtained are dependable and beyond reproach.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Frankfort, IL, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free.
In Frankfort, IL, the process of ordering and completing a hair follicle test is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Frankfort, IL, providing companies of all sizes with exceptional value and assurance.
The hair follicle drug test offers unmatched precision in detecting substance use in Frankfort, IL. With its high accuracy in identifying drug presence, hair testing stands out as a fast and dependable method.
Employing hair follicle testing in Frankfort, IL, aids in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This minimizes legal risks and promotes a safer work environment, providing peace of mind for employers.
