Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become recognized as a potent means for identifying use of drugs and alcohol. Hair can serve as a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection window for alcohol and drugs of up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to alter, and convenient to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair represents all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the initial handling of a specimen within a lab’s framework. This step involves confirming that the specimen was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screening result must be verified to be legal in court. Presumptive positive samples during Screening require a further confirmation step.
If a specimen registers as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are drawn from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and certified to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual examination targets the hair strand and not the sub-scalp hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Highland Hills, IL
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests provides superior detection accuracy and reliability. By examining a longer period of substance use, hair testing enables a comprehensive analysis that urine tests, limited by shorter detection windows, cannot offer. This makes hair testing a favored method for thorough drug history checks.
Extended Detection Window in Highland Hills, IL
Hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window, offering insights into drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive period allows employers to gain a full perspective of an individual’s substance use history, making it an ideal choice for reviewing applicant or employee behavior beyond immediate, short-term actions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Highland Hills, IL
Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering, delivering results that are both reliable and authoritative. By using an observed collection process, the chances of adulteration are greatly reduced, ensuring that the test outcomes remain credible and trustworthy for all involved stakeholders.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Highland Hills, IL
Accredited Drug Testing offers nationwide locations providing easy and fast access to drug testing services. For those in Highland Hills, IL, this means convenient and hassle-free service is always within reach, ensuring testing services are accessible to meet immediate needs without logistical barriers.
Simple, Confidential Process in Highland Hills, IL
The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and respects confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be user-friendly and private, addressing concerns about privacy while ensuring trust and ease throughout the testing experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Highland Hills, IL
Offering competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing provides companies of all sizes with cost-effective solutions. This combination of affordability and speed ensures organizations can carry out comprehensive drug evaluations without financial or temporal strain.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Highland Hills, IL
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in detecting substance use across all testing needs. Highlighting their capability to deliver swift and dependable results, these tests are integral for making informed decisions within tight timelines, offering peace of mind and reliability in assessment.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Highland Hills, IL
Incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace policies helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace standards, thereby reducing legal liabilities. This testing method not only fosters a safer work environment but also bolsters employer confidence by aligning with comprehensive compliance requirements.
