Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected near the scalp, it offers a detection window of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, alteration is somewhat challenging, and transportation is simple.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For assessments including EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. The use of a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other forms (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in lab processing for a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into the lab's system. It involves confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplemental data entry not submitted via an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides a preliminary quick assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to potentially dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screening outcome must be corroborated to be acceptable in court. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If the sample exhibits presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. Drug extraction at this phase is done at lower concentrations from hair compared to other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing methodology.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed for confirming any positive screening outcome. All samples with presumptive positivity are cleansed prior to confirmation, if required. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently known as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing drug tests, hair follicle methods in Warren, IL, outperform urine tests in several ways. They offer better detection accuracy and a longer testing window.
The significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Warren, IL, is its extended detection window. By capturing drug use history up to 90 days, these tests offer a detailed profile of an individual's substance activities.
This comprehensive detection period suits employers looking to understand better an applicant or employee's long-term drug usage patterns.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Warren, IL, is its tamper-resistant nature. The integrity of samples remains intact, reducing the risk of manipulation.
This characteristic ensures that hair follicle tests provide unquestionable reliability, making them a preferred choice for many organizations.
Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous convenient locations throughout Warren, IL, and nationwide. Accessing testing services is simple and efficient, catering to clients swiftly.
Our extensive network ensures clients can find a local center easily, streamlining the testing process and ensuring a pleasant experience.
The drug testing procedure in Warren, IL, remains simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From order to result, the process is clear-cut and user-friendly.
Our approach protects sensitive information, ensuring a secure client experience at every step, reinforcing trust in our services.
Our drug testing services in Warren, IL, are characterized by affordable pricing and rapid response times. This ensures that companies receive quick results without compromising on quality.
The outstanding value provided caters to businesses of all sizes, offering peace of mind with top-notch service delivery.
Hair follicle tests in Warren, IL, guarantee fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in identifying substance use is unparalleled, making them an excellent choice for exactness in drug testing.
Elevating testing standards, hair follicle methods provide a guarantee of high accuracy levels. This ensures that detection rates are effective, giving peace of mind to those who rely on these results.
For employers in Warren, IL, implementing hair follicle tests fosters compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This helps mitigate legal concerns and boosts workplace safety.
The assurance of meeting regulatory standards also enhances peace of mind and supports a productive work environment.
