Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pinckneyville, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by enclosing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to send.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in size) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we're specifically referring to scalp hair alone. Body hair pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages in laboratory processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with the initial processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This procedure includes verifying the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Any samples that show presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are derived from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation as needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can unveil drug use for as long as 90 days compared to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: It's quite challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical data: It can display a pattern of drug use over a period, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It roughly takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Results variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Choose Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Testing in Pinckneyville, IL? Hair follicle testing offers superior benefits compared to conventional urine tests, primarily due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are standard, hair follicle analysis provides a more comprehensive overview, detecting trace amounts of drug residues that urine tests might miss.

Extended Detection Window

Explore the Extended Detection Window that hair follicle testing provides in Pinckneyville, IL. This method allows detection of drug use up to 90 days prior, offering employers insight into an individual's substance use history. Hair tests effectively highlight patterns over an extended duration, ensuring coverage that urine tests can't match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method advantages are significant when considering hair follicle tests in Pinckneyville, IL. By collecting samples directly from the scalp in a controlled environment, the potential for sample adulteration is minimized. This approach ensures that results are reliable and beyond question, safeguarding the testing integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of Nationwide Testing Locations extends to Pinckneyville, IL, ensuring accessibility for all. Our vast network of centers makes it simple to find a testing site nearby, minimizing hassle and travel time, facilitating a quick and easy testing process for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing is Simple and Confidential in Pinckneyville, IL. From initial ordering to sample collection and results delivery, every step is designed to maintain privacy and ease of use, addressing concerns over confidentiality and making testing straightforward and user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround for hair follicle tests in Pinckneyville, IL ensure value for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structure combined with the quick turnaround on results provides clients with both financial savings and peace of mind, securing reliable testing without compromising on cost or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Achieving fast, accurate, and reliable results in Pinckneyville, IL is within reach thanks to our cutting-edge hair follicle testing technology. This testing method stands out due to its precision in identifying drug use, along with the speed of receiving results. Furthermore, hair follicle tests demonstrate remarkable accuracy, reducing instances of false positives or negatives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pinckneyville, IL is achievable through hair follicle drug testing. Adhering to drug-free workplace policies, this testing method helps reduce potential legal challenges and enhances workplace safety, assuring both employers and employees maintain compliance with required standards.

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