Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests that exceed 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory system. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use across most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle tests over traditional urine exams in New Hartford, IL? Simply put, the former offers superior detection for substance use. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a lengthier window of detection, reliably identifying drug presence up to 90 days back.
Offering a broader detection horizon in New Hartford, IL, hair follicle drug tests give employers deeper insights into an individual's drug history. Whereas urine tests spotlight recent usage, hair tests reveal up to 90 days of substance trace.
The risk of adulteration in drug testing is notably minimized with hair follicle tests in New Hartford, IL. Unlike some traditional methods, hair tests offer a tamper-resistant solution that ensures fidelity and clarity in results.
The convenience of nationwide and local testing facilities in New Hartford, IL can't be understated. Accredited Drug Testing makes the process accessible with numerous centers across the nation, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Enjoy a streamlined and private testing process in New Hartford, IL. Accredited Drug Testing ensures an easy-to-follow procedure from appointment scheduling to result receipt, maintaining strict confidentiality throughout.
In New Hartford, IL, enterprises benefit from cost-effective and prompt testing solutions. Our ideal pricing structure paired with swift turnaround ensures maximum value, catering to businesses of various sizes.
In New Hartford, IL, obtaining fast and precise drug test outcomes is crucial for decision-making. Hair follicle tests excel by delivering reliable results efficiently, accurately detecting substance use.
These tests ensure that any detection is rapid, thorough, and unparalleled, enabling organizations to act promptly and confidently based on conclusive evidence.
Employers in New Hartford, IL can find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method not only aids in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies but also diminishes legal concerns while promoting workplace safety.