Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a potent means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. By encapsulating biomarkers within its fibers, hair offers a prolonged history of substance use. Near-scalp hair can reveal a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The sample collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 strands near the scalp (comparable to a #2 pencil) provides 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. In cases lacking scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. Head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. All other types are categorized as body hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial sample processing into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid check for substances. While cost-effective for eliminating drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positives during Screening require secondary confirmation.
For a sample marked presumptively positive at Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This process extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", they actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Wildwood, IL, the benefits become clear. Hair testing offers superior detection due to its extended window, thereby increasing accuracy and reliability. This method outperforms urine tests in longevity and resistance to tampering, making it a better choice for comprehensive substance monitoring.
One significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Wildwood, IL is its extended detection window, which can trace drug use back up to 90 days. This feature provides employers and individuals with a thorough overview of substance habits, offering deeper insights compared to other testing options.
In Wildwood, IL, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. Unlike other tests, the chance of adulterating samples is drastically reduced with hair analysis, which means results are more reliable and harder to dispute. This gives stakeholders confidence in the validity of test outcomes.
With convenient testing locations throughout Wildwood, IL and beyond, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. Our network of nationwide and local centers ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free experiences for all participants, making testing as straightforward and accessible as possible.
Ordering and receiving results in Wildwood, IL is a simple and confidential process. From scheduling tests to obtaining outcomes, participants can rely on our systems for privacy and ease. Concerns about discretion are minimized, ensuring that clients feel secure and respected throughout.
Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and swift processing times in Wildwood, IL, catering to businesses of all sizes. Our competitive rates and efficient services provide great value and assurance, reinforcing the decision to choose us for drug testing needs.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Wildwood, IL are unmatched. This testing method guarantees high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring rapid and precise results every time. Employers and individuals can trust that hair analysis delivers fast and reliable data, aiding informed decisions.
Accurate and timely testing plays a critical role in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace environment.
Employers in Wildwood, IL can achieve peace of mind knowing that hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies. This method not only minimizes legal risks but also enhances the safety of the workplace by ensuring compliance and promoting a substance-free environment.
