Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures enduring evidence of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. It's straightforward to gather hair samples, they are relatively tough to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is absent, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. By scalp hair, we refer exclusively to hair from the scalp. Body hair refers to all other hair varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result assessment in a laboratory comprises four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the introductory processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This process includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data import not accounted for by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening performs a preliminary quick assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening offers an economical means to negate drug consumption in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening demand further verification.
For samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is removed from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity of conducting hair drug screening.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are pre-washed before verification if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory procedure is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle testing against urine testing reveals several advantages. In Hooppole, IL, hair tests excel in offering greater accuracy and reliability. While urine tests primarily detect recent drug use, hair tests provide a more comprehensive history, identifying usage patterns over several months. This capability makes hair testing a favored choice for many organizations with strict policy requirements.
Hair follicle tests in Hooppole, IL, offer an extended detection window that spans up to 90 days. This protracted timeframe allows employers to gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s substance use history. Instead of limiting the scope to recent activity as urine tests do, hair testing uncovers long-term patterns that aid in making well-informed employment or monitoring decisions.
One significant advantage of hair follicle drug tests is their tamper-resistant nature. In Hooppole, IL, this method combats attempts to alter or contaminate samples, providing agencies with hard-to-refute evidence. The inherent design of hair testing ensures a reliable outcome, affording greater confidence in proceeding based on its findings, reducing the risk of inaccurate results stemming from sample manipulation.
Our convenient nationwide testing locations, including Hooppole, IL, ensure everyone has easy access to our services. With centers all across the country, the testing process becomes quick and stress-free. This convenience is important in minimizing disruptions and supporting a seamless connection between testing needs and their fulfillment, wherever you may be.
Simple and confidential, our process in Hooppole, IL, is designed for ease from ordering to receiving results. Concerns about privacy can be allayed with our secure methods, ensuring user data protection throughout. Clients experience a straightforward journey that respects their confidentiality, allowing focus on results rather than procedural worries.
Hooppole, IL, benefits from our affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing models ensure any organization can access high-quality testing solutions without breaking the budget. Additionally, the swift processing of results further maximizes value, granting peace of mind and allowing for prompt data-driven decisions.
Fast Results are a key benefit of choosing hair follicle testing in Hooppole, IL. The process is efficient, providing quick and accurate assessments of drug or alcohol use. This speed is complemented by an unmatched precision that reassures users of the results' reliability. Substance use detection is thorough, ensuring that the findings contribute valuable insights for decision-making.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Hooppole, IL, provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. Utilizing this rigorous testing method aligns with and supports workplace drug-free policies, lessening potential legal exposures. As a result, employers contribute to a safer work environment, maintaining integrity and safety across their organizations.
