Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The efficacy of hair testing as a means to identify drug and alcohol consumption has gained recognition, with hair offering retrospective insights into substance use by trapping indicators within the growing strands. Obtaining hair close to the scalp allows for a detection period extending up to roughly three months for various substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transported.
Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for evaluating and confirming. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. It's beneficial to measure the hair specimen on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, an equivalent volume of body hair can be utilized. Head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process of assessing a drug test outcome in the laboratory encompasses four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves initially recording a sample within a laboratory's system, verifying its secure sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not already included via an electronic chain of custody.
Screening constitutes a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers an affordable way to dismiss drug use in most samples, positive results necessitate Verification for legal validity. Any samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample exhibit presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations when contrasted with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence why hair drug screening presents as the most intricate method to execute.
Verification of any positive Screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Verification as required. The complete laboratory operation from Accessioning to Verification is performed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair rubric and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Testing Wins: Lisle, IL sees a greater reliability in hair follicle tests compared to urine tests. The extended detection timeframe and difficulty in tampering make hair tests a superior choice for accurate substance use history.
Comparison: While urine tests offer insight into recent use, their limited window and vulnerability to tampering make them less reliable for a comprehensive assessment of long-term use.
Extended Window: Hair follicle testing in Lisle, IL can track drug use for up to 90 days, unlike shorter-term methods. This extended window provides employers a broader insight into an individual's history with substances.
Comprehensive Insight: By evaluating long-term use, hair tests give a true reflection of an individual's habits, assisting in informed decision-making processes for employment or legal purposes.
Reduced Adulteration Risk: Hair follicle tests in Lisle, IL offer a reliable method that resists tampering, ensuring the integrity of the sample and the validity of results.
Unquestionable Reliability: These tests significantly lower risks associated with sample fraud, providing consistent outcomes that can withstand scrutiny in both professional and legal contexts.
Nationwide Access: Convenient testing locations throughout the nation, including Lisle, IL, ensure that individuals can easily and quickly access the required services.
Local Convenience: With numerous nearby centers, scheduling and attending hair tests becomes hassle-free, fitting effortlessly into an individual's schedule without extensive travel.
Effortless Process: In Lisle, IL, the procedure for hair follicle testing is straightforward and secure, with a focus on privacy from testing to results delivery.
Confidentiality Assured: The testing process is designed to ensure that personal data remains protected, allowing users to proceed with peace of mind regarding their privacy.
Competitive Pricing: Accredited Drug Testing in Lisle, IL provides cost-effective hair testing solutions, making high-quality testing accessible to businesses of any size.
Quick Turnaround: With efficient processing times, results are returned swiftly, balancing affordability with timeliness and offering excellent value without compromising quality.
Fast Results: In Lisle, IL, hair follicle tests provide not only quick results but also a high degree of accuracy. This method allows for efficient substance detection, ensuring prompt decisions based on reliable data.
Accuracy: The ability of hair analysis to detect substances precisely allows for confidence in test outcomes. This reliability is essential for various applications such as employment screening and legal compliance.
Workplace Safety: Utilizing hair testing in Lisle, IL enables companies to maintain drug-free work environments, thereby enhancing safety and compliance with established policies.
Reduced Legal Liability: By adopting hair tests as part of their drug policy, employers can minimize potential legal risks, fostering a more secure and peaceful workplace atmosphere.
