Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely regarded as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Human hair documents a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers during hair growth. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection time span of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch specimen comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) located closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional assessments, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be acquired, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system, such as certifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be accepted in court. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples preliminarily positive are washed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually involves the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Lost Nation, IL, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests due to its enhanced accuracy and reliability. Hair testing provides a longer detection window and is less prone to being tampered with, unlike urine tests. This method detects usage over months, not just days, offering a more thorough understanding of drug histories, ensuring dependable results and peace of mind.
Hair follicle testing in Lost Nation, IL offers an extended detection period, tracing substance use back up to 90 days. Employers thus gain deeper insights into an employee's or applicant's drug history. This elongated analysis timeframe captures patterns that quick-turnaround tests might miss, fostering a safer and more informed workplace environment.
In Lost Nation, IL, hair follicle testing offers a robust defense against sample tampering. Unlike other testing methods, which are susceptible to adulteration, hair tests ensure integrity, delivering consistent and indisputable outcomes. This reliability supports entities in making well-informed decisions with confidence in the test parameters.
Accredited Drug Testing streamlines the process with nationwide, easily accessible testing centers, including in Lost Nation, IL. This ensures clients enjoy a seamless and quick testing experience, absent of cumbersome procedures, reflecting our commitment to offering convenient top-tier testing services available round-the-clock.
In Lost Nation, IL, our hair follicle testing approach is simple and confidential. Clients appreciate the user-friendly steps, from ordering to receiving test outcomes, all ensured with utmost privacy. This worry-free method resonates with individuals concerned about maintaining their confidentiality and test result delivery.
In Lost Nation, IL, our hair follicle testing services boast competitive pricing and expeditious processing, providing substantial value to businesses of varying sizes. Our fast turnaround times ensure that clients receive clear test outcomes rapidly, reinforcing our reputation for affordable, reliable services.
Located in Lost Nation, IL, our cutting-edge hair follicle testing is renowned for being rapid, precise, and trustworthy. The impressive speed of hair testing does not compromise accuracy—each test is handled with care, ensuring the immediate detection of substance use. For those seeking dependable outcomes, hair testing presents itself as an outstanding option.
Hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with workplace drug policies in Lost Nation, IL, offering peace of mind to employers. This method reduces legal risks by enhancing workplace safety and aligning with zero-tolerance policies. Through reliable detection and robust legal defensibility, it assures thorough compliance.
