Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair provides an extended timeline of drug and alcohol use by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. Hair gathered near the scalp can offer an approximate detection window of up to three months for alcohol and various drugs. It is straightforward to collect hair, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to ship.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We advise weighing the hair sample with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for analyzing drug test results consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning initiates the procedure by entering a sample into the lab's system. This step includes confirming that the sample is appropriately sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for drug presence. While screening offers a budget-friendly technique to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that test presumptively positive during screening require further confirmation.
Samples deemed presumptively positive in the screening phase involve further hair extracted from the initial sample and prepared for the Extraction phase. This phase isolates drugs from hair at lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The commonly used term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer; the tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Northbrook, IL, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests due to its superior accuracy and reliability. Hair analysis provides a greater detection window, offering detailed substance use history compared to traditional methods like urine testing.
The benefits of hair testing versus urine testing highlights a longer detection period, enhanced accuracy, and less tamper-prone results, making it the preferred choice for employers who uphold no-drug policies in the workplace.
Hair follicle testing in Northbrook, IL extends detection capabilities up to 90 days, granting employers a much broader understanding of an individual's substance use history. This extended window is critical for making informed hiring and employment decisions.
Given its ability to record substance use over a longer period, hair testing provides businesses in Northbrook with a complete view of substance history, aiding risk management and compliance with workplace policies.
In Northbrook, IL, hair follicle tests are celebrated for their tamper-resistant features, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration and ensuring trustworthy results. This method delivers unquestionable authenticity thanks to its resilient testing procedure.
Showcasing resistance to tampering, hair follicle testing fortifies the process against deceit, bolstering its standing as a reliable source of evidence in both professional and legal contexts in Northbrook.
Our testing facilities, spread nationwide, including in Northbrook, IL, offer unparalleled convenience, enabling effortless access to hair follicle drug testing services. This ensures a rapid and seamless testing experience.
With various testing centers throughout Northbrook and beyond, access to our services remains straightforward, minimizing hassle and ensuring swift processing times for substance testing.
In Northbrook, IL, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering to result receipt. Our services prioritize a stress-free user experience.
The simple and private process of hair testing addresses concerns regarding confidentiality, offering individuals a user-friendly engagement from registration through to receiving results in Northbrook.
Providing affordable rates and rapid result times, our Northbrook, IL hair follicle testing services offer excellent value to companies irrespective of their size. Competitive pricing strengthens our client relationships.
Ensuring prompt turnaround and competitive pricing, our services in Northbrook meet industry standards, assuring businesses cost-effective and time-efficient options for substance testing requirements.
In Northbrook, IL, the precision and rapid processing of hair follicle drug tests offer remarkable accuracy in determining substance use. These tests quickly deliver results that are dependable, giving both individuals and organizations assurance in their reliability.
Regarded for swift and specific results, hair follicle drug tests surpass other methods in alertness and reliability. This efficiency ensures that individuals in Northbrook receive timely notifications about substance use discoveries.
Adopting hair follicle testing in Northbrook, IL assures employers of compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thus diminishing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. This testing method supports consistent policy enforcement.
Employers in Northbrook can enjoy peace of mind knowing that unauthorized substance use is monitored accurately through hair testing, reinforcing lawful compliance and fostering a safer work environment.
