Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
An effective method for tracking drug and alcohol consumption is through hair testing, which captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. With hair extracted near the scalp, the detection timeframe for substances can extend up to about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (approximately akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for thorough screening and verification. For specific tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is advisable for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. “Head hair†specifically denotes scalp hair, while “body hair†pertains to all other hair categories (facial hair, axillary hair, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for producing a drug test result broadly consists of four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab’s system, ensuring proper seal and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any further data input not managed by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening offers an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is efficient in cost for negating drug usage across most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Any samples flagged as positive during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
When a sample tests preliminarily positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, hair drug screening extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making it one of the most challenging testing methodologies.
Confirmation of a positive screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples flagged as presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation if needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process follows both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Franklin Grove, IL
Hair testing offers unequaled benefits over traditional urine tests, notably in terms of detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests have a broader detection window and are less prone to tampering, providing a more reliable evaluation of an individual's drug use behaviors.
Extended Detection Window in Franklin Grove, IL
The extended detection period of up to 90 days offered by hair follicle tests enables employers to gain comprehensive insights into a candidate or employee's drug use history. This prolonged window surpasses that of other test types, thus offering a broader understanding of substance use patterns.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Franklin Grove, IL
Hair follicle testing is notably resistant to manipulation, significantly minimizing the potential for sample tampering. The method's built-in protections ensure the collection process is consistent and trustworthy, offering results that can be depended upon without question.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Franklin Grove, IL
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including those in Franklin Grove, provides seamless and convenient access to drug testing services. This extensive reach ensures that our services are available to meet the needs of our customers without excessive travel or inconvenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Franklin Grove, IL
The process for conducting hair follicle testing is straightforward and maintains confidentiality at every step, from ordering the test to receiving the results. This simplicity alleviates concerns regarding privacy and ease of access, providing a hassle-free experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Franklin Grove, IL
We offer competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times, ensuring our hair follicle testing provides excellent value. This efficiency and affordability provide peace of mind, supporting businesses of varying sizes in making timely and cost-effective testing decisions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Franklin Grove, IL
Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise outcomes, delivering results that clients can trust. The method is celebrated for its high level of accuracy, leaving no doubt about the results. This ensures that individuals and organizations alike can make informed decisions based on clear and reliable data.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Franklin Grove, IL
Implementing hair follicle tests is a proactive step in maintaining workplace integrity and safety. Employers benefit from assured compliance with drug-free workplace policies, which in turn reduces legal liabilities and promotes a secure and productive work environment.
