Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing emerges as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of substance use, capturing biomarkers within its fibers. When sampled near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use over an approximate 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels above 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measuring. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair is usable. When discussing head hair, we refer only to scalp hair. Body hair includes facial, axillary, and other types.
Process Overview
The crucial steps in processing drug test results in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step, integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step checks if the sample was sealed and dispatched properly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug use. While cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court use. Samples showing potential positivity in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
A presumptive positive sample in Screening leads to further hair extraction from the original specimen for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations from hair than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening exceptionally challenging to conduct.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS confirm any positive screen results. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) designation for Hair and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Fulton, IL, hair follicle testing stands out over urine testing because of its enhanced detection accuracy. While urine tests are common, a hair test offers robust results that ensure reliability many traditional methods can't match.
Hair tests are less invasive, with no awkward collection procedures, and provide clear, unequivocal evidence of drug use over an extended period. This makes them superior in showcasing drug use history accurately within the local context.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage in Fulton, IL. By covering up to 90 days of substance history, this method gives employers a detailed insight into an individual’s drug use chronicle.
This prolonged detection is particularly valuable to organizations seeking a comprehensive understanding of an employee’s commitment to a substance-free lifestyle, ensuring well-informed hiring and retention decisions.
In Fulton, IL, hair follicle testing's resistance to tampering is noteworthy. Unlike urine tests, which can be easily adulterated, hair tests offer reliable results by ensuring that the collected samples remain authentic and untouched.
This method significantly minimizes cheating risks due to its stringent collection processes, delivering conclusive and trustworthy results critical for critical evaluations.
Convenience is paramount, and Accredited Drug Testing offers nationwide and local centers in Fulton, IL, ensuring ease of testing access. This extensive network simplifies the process, making it as quick and hassle-free as possible for all clients.
The wide availability of testing locations underscores our commitment to accessibility, guaranteeing that professional and efficient services are never far from reach.
The process in Fulton, IL for undertaking a hair follicle test is straightforward, marked by simplicity and confidentiality. From scheduling a test to getting results, every step respects individuals' privacy concerns.
Clients can trust that their information remains protected throughout, with a user-friendly approach ensuring a smooth experience without unnecessary difficulties or hassles.
Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing and rapid results in Fulton, IL, making our services economical for businesses of varying sizes. Our structured pricing gives excellent value without sacrificing quality.
With fast turnaround times, clients experience minimal delays. This combination of affordability and efficiency reinforces why Accredited Drug Testing remains a preferred choice for many companies in the region.
Hair follicle drug tests are lauded in Fulton, IL for their efficiency and accuracy. The method ensures precise detection of substances, providing swift and dependable results that businesses and individuals can count on.
The reliability of hair testing lies in its detailed analysis, which identifies drug use with unmatched accuracy. This precision ensures that the results are fast, minimizing any waiting time and allowing for prompt decision-making.
For employers in Fulton, IL, ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies is paramount, and hair follicle testing can aid in maintaining these standards. Such tests reduce legal risks and foster a more secure and productive work environment.
Employers can rest easy knowing that the use of hair testing meets industry standards and regulatory compliance while promoting peace of mind and operational efficiency.