Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a suggested 150mg of the sample is necessary. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The primary steps in laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses initial sample processing into the lab’s system, including verifying sample integrity, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data that is not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial, rapid examination for potential substances. Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, but a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
When a sample indicates a presumptive positive during Screening, further hair is isolated from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair analysis more complex.
Confirmation for any positive Screening results is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although it is commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Extended Detection vs. Urine
In Saint Joseph, IL, the shift towards hair follicle testing is due to its extended detection window, far surpassing that of traditional urine tests. Testing through hair offers a glimpse of up to 90 days into the past, providing a comprehensive analysis that urine tests cannot match.
Reliable Detection Accuracy
Hair tests provide higher detection accuracy for various drugs compared to urine tests. This method gives confidence to entities requiring stringent drug use policies, ensuring that drug consumption isn't overlooked due to testing flaws.
Comprehensive Detection Period
The capacity to reflect users' drug consumption history up to 90 days prior makes hair follicle testing the preferred choice in Saint Joseph, IL. Employers can gain a clear understanding of an individual's drug habits, ultimately influencing hiring decisions and policy enforcement.
Broad Overview
By offering a broader detection window, hair follicle tests provide an exhaustive view of an individual's past drug use. This extensive analysis is crucial in environments where safety and compliance are paramount.
Ensuring Integrity
Hair follicle tests, implemented in Saint Joseph, IL, significantly minimize the threat of sample tampering, offering credibility that is often missing in other testing methods. The chances of altering a sample drop significantly due to the nature of hair sample handling.
Unquestionable Results
The process of hair testing ensures the integrity of collected samples, leading to results that are difficult to dispute. With tampering methods less effective, stakeholders can rely on the results with increased confidence.
Accessible Testing Locations
Our extensive network of testing centers, including those in Saint Joseph, IL, is designed for easy access. Nationwide availability ensures quick, seamless testing, meeting the needs of a diverse and widespread clientele.
Effortless Access
The convenience of numerous testing locations allows individuals and businesses to conduct necessary tests with minimal hassle. It's an efficient approach that accommodates the immediate demands of testing requirements.
Streamlined Process
In Saint Joseph, IL, the hair follicle testing process is intuitive and confidential, ranging from sample collection to result delivery. Ensuring ease of use, this process respects privacy while maintaining efficiency.
Confidentiality and Simplicity
Our testing approach addresses concerns related to privacy and user-friendliness. With a straightforward procedure, individuals can complete tests with the assurance of confidentiality and minimal inconvenience.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Our competitive pricing structure ensures affordability for companies of all sizes in Saint Joseph, IL. Hair follicle testing offers substantial value, with quick turnaround times that don't compromise on quality.
Quick Results, Exceptional Value
Providing high-quality testing at competitive rates, we prioritize affordability without sacrificing efficiency. This balance enables corporations to manage testing within budgetary constraints while receiving prompt results.
Fast and Precise Testing
The swift and accurate nature of hair follicle drug testing in Saint Joseph, IL, is unmatched. This method provides quick and precise results, ensuring reliable identification of substance use. Utilizing advanced technology, hair testing delivers immediate outcomes, pivotal for timely decision-making processes.
Unrivaled Accuracy
The accuracy of hair testing outshines other methods with its ability to detect a broad range of substances. This precision aids organizations in establishing concrete evidence of drug use, thereby enforcing policies with assurance and minimizing erroneous outcomes.
Compliance Assurance
In Saint Joseph, IL, hair follicle testing assures alignment with workplace drug-free policies, thus allowing employers to impose rules more effectively. This aids in minimizing legal implications while promoting a safer working environment.
Stress-Free Governance
Employers find peace of mind knowing they are equipped with a dependable testing method. Hair follicle tests help sustain a secure workplace, reassuring businesses of adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
