Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations have become recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, offering a prolonged timeline of substance use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for both alcohol and other substances. Hair retrieval is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A segment of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 strands (resembling the size of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp will result in 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result comprises four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial handling of a sample in the laboratory’s system. This step entails confirming that the sample is properly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening acts as a preliminary check for substance abuse. Though it's an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screening needs validation to be valid in judicial settings. Any samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening must undergo a secondary verification.
Should a sample appear presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the first specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Amnicon, WI
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in both detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window allows a thorough assessment of substance use, ensuring a more comprehensive screening than urine tests typically offer.
Extended Detection Window in Amnicon, WI
Hair follicle testing provides insights into an individual's substance use over an extensive period, up to 90 days. This longer detection window affords employers a detailed overview of an applicant or employee’s drug history, aiding informed decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Amnicon, WI
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample adulteration. The testing method is designed to be tamper-resistant, ensuring that results are both reliable and indisputable, fostering confidence in the findings.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Amnicon, WI
With numerous testing centers across the country, accessing drug testing services is both straightforward and convenient. Local facilities ensure quick, seamless, and stress-free testing experiences.
Simple, Confidential Process in Amnicon, WI
The process for scheduling, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be simple and private. This addresses concerns around confidentiality and ease, making it user-friendly and discreet.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Amnicon, WI
Our competitive pricing models and fast result turnaround times provide excellent value. These benefits cater to businesses of any scale, making the decision to implement hair follicle testing a cost-effective and efficient choice.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Amnicon, WI
Hair follicle drug tests excel in providing swift and precise detection of substance use. With advanced technology, these tests deliver high accuracy and reliability, distinguishing them as a superior choice for identifying drug use with certainty.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Amnicon, WI
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It supports legal adherence, minimizes risks, and enhances workplace safety, delivering peace of mind for companies.
