Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. It offers a comprehensive history of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp results in about 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. A jeweler's scale is recommended to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" pertains only to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step entails ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any necessary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Though cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
When a sample is presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most complex to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why is hair follicle testing a better option in Lake Forest, IL? Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. This method reveals a broader history of drug use, making it extremely difficult to cheat. For employers seeking a dependable test to enforce a drug-free workplace, hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Lake Forest, IL, provides a significant advantage. This method can trace drug use for up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. For employers, this translates into more informed decisions when evaluating applicants and monitoring current employees.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Lake Forest, IL, is its tamper-resistant design. Unlike urine samples, which are easier to alter, hair tests offer a robust safeguard against tampering. This ensures that the results are reliable and trustworthy, thereby offering peace of mind to those who rely on these tests for crucial decisions.
With convenient testing centers nationwide, including locations in Lake Forest, IL, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. This expansive network ensures individuals and companies enjoy easy access to drug testing services, making it simple to fulfill any testing requirements without inconvenience.
The process for hair follicle testing in Lake Forest, IL, is straightforward and respects privacy. Ordering and taking the test is simple, while obtaining results remains confidential. This streamlined procedure addresses privacy concerns, allowing individuals to go through the testing process with ease and peace of mind.
With affordable pricing structures and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Lake Forest, IL, offers excellent value to companies of all sizes. This cost-effectiveness ensures that businesses can efficiently implement drug testing policies without financial strain, while also achieving quick results to make informed decisions.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests make them a compelling choice in Lake Forest, IL. These tests are designed to accurately detect a wide range of substances, giving precise results quickly. With its high degree of accuracy, the hair follicle test ensures that substance use is reliably identified, meeting both regulatory and personal standards for drug testing.
In Lake Forest, IL, hair follicle testing supports compliance with workplace drug-free policies, ensuring a safer work environment. By adopting this method, employers reduce legal risks and enhance safety. The reliability of hair testing safeguards against false results, promoting job site integrity and worker safety.
