Accredited Drug Testing offers thorough hair follicle drug assessments in Melrose Park, Illinois. For those needing hair drug or alcohol tests, we specialize in this area, with test centers in various cities nationwide to handle hair testing. Typically, you need 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body. Hair tests can identify drugs, alcohol/ETG, or cater to other custom testing needs.
Recently, hair follicle drug tests have increasingly been employed for drug testing purposes. Many companies, judicial bodies, and substance abuse experts now prefer hair tests over urine tests, especially when enforcing zero-tolerance policies. Hair follicle tests boast longer detection windows, typically up to 90 days, observed collection, and are hard to manipulate. Nonetheless, urine tests remain most accurate for recent drug use within five days.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective method for detecting substance use including drugs and alcohol. It offers an extensive historical timeline of alcohol and drug consumption by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer up to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing about 200 strands (roughly #2 pencil size) close to the scalp provides around 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps involved in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process of bringing a sample into the lab's system. It involves verifying that it was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary method for detecting commonly abused drugs. Though cost-effective for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legally admissible. Presumptively positive samples require subsequent confirmation.
In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This step involves removing drugs from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.
Confirmation is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS for any positive screen results. Before confirmation, all positive samples are washed as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Melrose Park, IL, hair follicle testing is superior to urine tests due to its prolonged detection capabilities, offering a historical view of substance use.
When comparing hair and urine tests, hair testing provides enhanced accuracy and reliability, essential for maintaining robust drug-free policies.
Hair testing ensures a longer detection window and is less prone to alterations compared to traditional urine testing methods.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, providing a broader scope of drug usage compared to other methods.
This method allows employers in Melrose Park, IL to review an expansive timeline of an individual’s substance use history.
With a longer detection period, hair follicle tests give a more comprehensive understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance behaviors.
Hair follicle tests in Melrose Park, IL, significantly lower the possibility of tampered samples, ensuring trustworthy results.
Employers gain confidence from hair testing due to its resistance to alterations, providing reliable and definitive outcomes.
By reducing the chance of sample manipulation, hair follicle tests strengthen the integrity of workplace testing practices.
Convenience and accessibility are key, with nationwide and local test centers offering hassle-free services in Melrose Park, IL.
Our comprehensive network ensures that testing is quick and convenient, catering to varied needs efficiently.
The widespread availability of testing locations simplifies the process, allowing easy access for businesses and individuals alike.
The hair follicle testing process in Melrose Park, IL is simple and confidential, safeguarding privacy concerns.
From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, the procedure is straightforward and respects individual confidentiality.
Efficiency and confidentiality are paramount, ensuring the entire process is seamless and secure for all clients.
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround nature make hair follicle drug tests valued in Melrose Park, IL.
Companies benefit from both affordability and dependable results, emphasizing quality and economic sensibility.
Hiring our services translates into affordable and quick testing solutions for businesses of any size, boosting value and assurance.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests in Melrose Park, IL, set them apart. These tests offer a reliable solution with accurate detection of substances.
The swift and precise results of hair follicle tests are indispensable in detecting substance use effectively and efficiently.
Opting for hair follicle tests assures employers that they are benefitting from an advanced testing method with high accuracy, swift outcomes, and reliability in Melrose Park, IL.
Employers in Melrose Park, IL utilize hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal issues.
This method enhances workplace safety, delivering peace of mind by ensuring adherence to established regulations.
Hair tests assist in maintaining strict compliance policies while providing reassurance through a credible testing method.