Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are now recognized as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substances such as alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a three-month timeframe to detect alcohol and other drugs. Hair is effortless to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample length of 1.5 inches with around 200 strands of hair (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests of more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry that an electronic chain of custody system doesn’t provide.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen calls for confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate an additional confirmation process.
When a sample is flagged as potentially positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods conduct the Confirmation of any positive screening outcome. All samples preliminarily considered positive undergo washing prior to confirmation, as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory sequence is assessed in agreement with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Summum, IL, hair follicle testing supersedes traditional urine testing through superior detection and reliability. Hair tests offer a longer detection window and capture a broader substance history.
Unlike urine tests, hair testing is less susceptible to tampering and provides a more comprehensive analysis of drug and alcohol consumption over time, enhancing its credibility.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Summum, IL, is its extended detection window. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can reveal drug use over a 90-day period.
This broader window offers employers better insight into a person's substance use habits, assisting them in making informed hiring or retention decisions.
The risk of adulteration is significantly minimized with hair follicle tests in Summum, IL, ensuring that results remain trustworthy and valid.
This method offers employers and individuals confidence in the accuracy of results, knowing that the testing is less susceptible to tampering compared to more traditional methods.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide hair follicle testing centers, including local options in Summum, IL. Accessing testing services has never been easier.
Our extensive network ensures quick and hassle-free access to drug testing, making it simple for individuals and employers to meet their testing needs efficiently.
In Summum, IL, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined for ease of use.
With privacy being a top concern, our testing process ensures confidentiality at every step, allowing clients to proceed with confidence.
With competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Summum, IL offers great value for companies of all sizes.
Employers benefit from cost-effective drug testing options that do not compromise on quality, ensuring fast and dependable results at an affordable price.
Hair follicle drug tests in Summum, IL are renowned for their precision and speed in delivering results. Compared to other methods, hair testings offer a high level of accuracy in detecting substance use, making them a top choice for reliable results.
The efficiency of hair follicle tests ensures that results are obtained swiftly without compromising accuracy, allowing individuals and employers to make informed decisions promptly.
For employers in Summum, IL, hair follicle testing provides compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing potential legal issues while boosting workplace safety.
Using this method ensures employers meet industry standards for drug testing, offering peace of mind and a safer work environment.
