Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures long-term data of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The core steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the primary integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any necessary data input absent in an electronic custody system.
Screening serves as an initial check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient way to validate the majority of samples for drug use, a positive outcome must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening must have a secondary confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is gathered from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are removed from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing why hair drug screening is the most arduous method to execute.
Validation of any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as needed. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the complete process is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are becoming clearer in Strasburg, IL. Hair tests possess superior accuracy, especially for detecting substance use over a period up to 90 days. While traditional urine tests may detect recent use, hair tests provide a broader detection window, offering insights into longer-term substance behaviors. This makes hair testing ideal for employers prioritizing thoroughness in their drug use detection protocols.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing results are less susceptible to tampering, thus enhancing their reliability. Employers enforcing zero-tolerance drug policies often turn to hair testing for its steadfast results and its ability to diminish the chance of sample tampering. This robust testing allows for more confident decision-making in workplaces and legal environments.
In Strasburg, IL, utilizing hair follicle testing offers the exceptional benefit of an extended detection window for drug use. Unlike other test methods, hair tests can reveal drug consumption over a span of up to 90 days, providing employers and institutions a detailed understanding of an individual's substance use history. This prolonged detection capability offers a broader picture of habits beyond the limitations of short-term tests.
The expanded detection period enhances hiring processes, as it allows employers to make informed decisions based on an individual’s long-term drug use history rather than a snapshot of their recent activity. The comprehensive view obtained through hair testing is a valuable asset for maintaining safe and productive work environments.
Strasburg, IL benefits significantly from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug tests. Hair testing reduces the likelihood of adulteration, ensuring that each sample provides a trustworthy and accurate reflection of an individual's drug use history. In contrast to other methods where tampering can be a concern, hair testing offers robust assurance from sample manipulation.
The reliability of hair follicle tests is due to both the nature of the sample and the stringent collection process, which makes tampering attempts futile. This advantage supports employers and organizations in making confident, evidence-based decisions, enhancing trust in the results obtained through this testing method.
With conveniently located testing centers nationwide, including those in Strasburg, IL, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy and fast access to our services. Regardless of where testing is needed, our widespread locations guarantee that individuals can efficiently find a nearby center. This network eliminates the hassle, allowing for swift and convenient access to required testing services.
Our range of locations means that no matter where you are, our testing services are within reach. This ensures that those seeking testing can do so without unnecessary delays or complications, reinforcing convenience and accessibility for all individuals involved.
Accredited Drug Testing offers a straightforward and confidential testing process in Strasburg, IL. From order placement to receiving your test results, the process is designed to be user-friendly and maintain privacy. Individuals can trust that their personal information is securely handled, ensuring peace of mind throughout the testing experience.
The simplistic nature of our testing procedures is matched by our commitment to confidentiality. Whether for individual peace of mind or corporate assurance, our services provide seamless and private access to necessary drug testing results, upholding user trust from start to finish.
Accredited Drug Testing delivers competitive pricing structures and prompt turnaround times in Strasburg, IL. Our affordable pricing models cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring that high-quality drug testing is accessible without straining budgets. Coupled with fast results, our testing services provide excellent value for those seeking reliable substance use insights quickly.
Our efficient process ensures that tests are completed promptly without sacrificing quality. By balancing cost-effectiveness with rapid service, we meet the needs of individuals and organizations looking for dependable testing solutions that align with financial expectations, facilitating well-informed decisions.
The hair follicle drug tests conducted in Strasburg, IL are renowned for their rapid, reliable, and accurate outcomes. The precision with which these tests detect substance use surpasses that of traditional methods. In particular, when it comes to identifying a range of substances with high accuracy, hair follicle tests lead the field, ensuring results that individuals and employers can confidently rely upon for crucial decisions.
Our testing process is designed to be swift without compromising accuracy. This combination of speed and dependability is what sets hair follicle tests apart, enabling them to deliver fast insights into an individual’s drug use history. As such, they serve as a vital tool for employers or institutions requiring timely, reliable test results without sacrificing quality.
Hair follicle drug testing offers peace of mind for employers in Strasburg, IL by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. These tests help mitigate legal risks associated with workplace drug use. By providing reliable results, hair testing enhances workplace safety and supports maintaining a compliant and lawful work environment, reducing potential legal issues and boosting organizational reputation.
For employers who prioritize a drug-free workplace, hair follicle testing affirms their commitment to safety and responsibility. It demonstrates their dedication to maintaining a professional environment, safeguarding employees, and meeting industry standards and regulations with confidence.
