Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair evaluations have emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and various substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat complex to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A segment of 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal source for assessment and validation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amounting to 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair might be gathered. When discussing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four essential stages in the laboratory procedure for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a lab's system initially. This step confirms the appropriate sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any extra data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may not cover.
Screening serves as an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates further confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples testing preliminarily positive during Screening require a further verification process.
When a sample tests preliminarily positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and set up for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than through other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo cleansing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the endorsement of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Highland, IL, recognizes the superiority of hair follicle testing over urine testing. With its extended detection period, this method surpasses traditional tests in accuracy. While urine tests are limited in scope, hair tests unveil a detailed history of substance use.
Employers in Highland benefit from the hair test's ability to detect long-term drug use, which urine tests often fail to reveal.
Hair follicle testing in Highland, IL, is known for its extended detection capability, covering up to 90 days of drug use. This broad window allows a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's substance history, unmatched by other testing options.
The lengthy detection timeline ensures employers a thorough insight into applicants' or employees' drug use histories, aiding in informed decision-making processes.
Highland, IL, relies on hair follicle testing for its tamper-resistant nature. The method minimizes the risk of adulteration, ensuring the integrity of the sample. The test’s intrinsic design makes sample tampering virtually impossible.
Such reliable results are crucial for contexts requiring absolute certainty in results, like employment screenings or legal proceedings.
Highland, IL, benefits from convenient nationwide and local testing locations, offering quick and hassle-free access. Our centers ensure a seamless process across the country, meeting your testing needs efficiently.
Local Highland sites ensure that testing services are readily available, providing peace of mind and convenience for individuals and businesses alike.
In Highland, IL, the process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be simple and confidential. Our approach guarantees privacy, making the entire procedure straightforward and secure.
The emphasis on confidentiality and ease of use addresses concerns, ensuring peace of mind throughout the testing experience.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, our services in Highland, IL, deliver exceptional value. The cost-effective nature of our hair follicle tests provides excellent pricing options for companies.
Coupled with fast results, our structure ensures affordability without compromising on speed, benefiting businesses of any size.
In Highland, IL, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed. Accurately detecting substances, these tests ensure highly reliable results. Such efficiency in identifying drug use contributes to timely decisions.
Our advanced procedure is designed to deliver fast, dependable results, proving essential for timely actions in various contexts, such as employment or legal requirements.
Employers in Highland, IL, find peace in ensuring policy compliance with hair follicle testing. This method reinforces compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities.
By employing hair testing, businesses minimize risks associated with substance abuse, fostering a safer, more secure work environment.