Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely regarded as a robust method for detecting substance use. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over an approximately 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp is needed to provide 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or over 10-panel evaluations, a 150mg sample is advised. It's advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent measure of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair indicate only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step in processing a sample within a lab’s framework. This step includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance use. While this step is cost-effective for dismissing substance use in most cases, a positive result in Screening must undergo Confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that show a possible positive result during Screening require additional confirmation testing.
When Screening results indicate a potential positive, more hair from the initial sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing especially challenging.
Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples presumed positive are cleaned before Confirmation if necessary. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on the hair shaft itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine testing in Holiday Shores, IL, the advantages are clear. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation that urine tests cannot match. The extended detection window ensures past substance use is identified accurately.
Hair tests are more resistant to tampering, making them a reliable choice for employers and organizations aiming to enforce strict drug-free policies. The ability to detect a broader range of substances makes hair testing a preferred method over urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Holiday Shores, IL, offers an extended detection timeframe, identifying drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This lengthy detection window provides employers with a thorough picture of an employee's or applicant's substance history, ensuring informed decision-making.
Unlike other testing methods with shorter detection periods, hair testing analyzes a longer segment of time, making it invaluable for roles where maintaining a drug-free environment is crucial. This gives employers added confidence in their hiring and retention procedures.
The hair follicle testing method significantly reduces the likelihood of tampering, ensuring reliable results in Holiday Shores, IL. By offering a testing approach that is virtually tamper-proof, employers can be confident in the validity of the results they receive.
This tamper-resistant method is important in maintaining a strict drug-free policy within organizations. The assurance of authenticity in testing results enhances the integrity of workplace safety programs and protects against fraudulent behavior.
Offering convenient testing facilities across Holiday Shores, IL, and nationwide, the availability of quick and easy hair follicle testing locations simplifies the testing process. Employers and individuals benefit from efficient access to necessary services close to their vicinity.
Nationwide coverage ensures that tests are not only accessible but also conducted in a timely manner. This ease of access contributes to the efficiency and efficacy of implementing drug testing protocols.
In Holiday Shores, IL, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results is simple, ensuring privacy and ease of use for all involved. Such measures alleviate concerns surrounding confidentiality and user experience.
By prioritizing a user-friendly and discreet process, Accredited Drug Testing helps clients navigate the testing with assurance and minimal hassle. This customer-centric approach highlights the company's commitment to individual and corporate privacy.
Our services in Holiday Shores, IL, offer affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, delivering excellent value for organizations of all sizes. Companies benefit from competitive pricing structures, ensuring budget-friendly solutions for comprehensive drug testing needs.
Fast results help maintain organizational momentum, reaffirming companies’ devotion to safety and compliance. The combination of cost-effectiveness and rapid processing ensures that businesses achieve peace of mind efficiently.
In Holiday Shores, IL, hair follicle drug tests provide precision and swift outcomes. These tests boast high accuracy, consistently ensuring accurate detection of substance use. Employers can rely on the rapid processing and dependability of results, giving them confidence in the integrity of the testing process.
The technology behind these tests guarantees almost immediate results, facilitating quick decision-making for both employers and individuals. This capability makes hair tests an essential tool in environments where timely results are critical.
For employers in Holiday Shores, IL, using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, supporting peace of mind. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety by confirming adherence to regulations while maintaining a safe work environment.
Implementing such reliable testing reduces uncertainties surrounding drug use in the workplace. As a comprehensive solution, it strengthens an organization's commitment to its drug policy and employee welfare.
