Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The unique ability of hair to store long-term data on alcohol and other substance use is due to its capacity to capture biomarkers in the fibers as hair grows. When collected near the scalp, hair provides a detection window for alcohol and other drugs of roughly 3 months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp, gives 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In cases where scalp hair is non-existent, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in the laboratory entailed four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning serves as the preliminary step of introducing a sample into a laboratory’s framework. It involves ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped appropriately, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any extra data not recorded by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid drug check. Although Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug use in the majority of samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid for legal purposes. Any screens yielding a presumptive positive necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves removing drugs from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair drug screening being the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of positive screening results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Browns Lake, WI, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests in effectiveness. Hair testing boasts superior detection accuracy, unveiling substance use history over months, unlike the limited detection window of urine tests.
Employers benefit greatly from hair testing as it reveals consistent substance use rather than isolated incidents, offering a more credible and comprehensive assessment. This reliability over urine testing proves invaluable in maintaining workplace integrity.
Hair follicle testing in Browns Lake, WI offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, unlike other testing methods with shorter windows.
Employers gain a broader understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance use patterns, proving critical in evaluating long-term behavior rather than isolated occurrences, thereby enhancing decision-making processes.
In Browns Lake, WI, the risk of test tampering is significantly reduced with hair follicle tests. Unlike other methods, altering or substituting samples is nearly impossible, assuring employers and individuals of the test's integrity.
This method provides unquestionable evidence of substance use, removing doubts about the authenticity of test results and ensuring reliable outcomes that reinforce employer confidence in maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including Browns Lake, WI. This ensures quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services, accommodating the needs of employers and individuals easily.
With extensive local and national coverage, testing becomes a straightforward process, eliminating the stress often associated with organizing and accessing drug testing facilities.
In Browns Lake, WI, our simple and confidential hair testing process promotes ease of use. From ordering to receiving results, the entire procedure is streamlined, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
Individuals and employers find this process user-friendly, with clear instructions and fast, secure access to test outcomes, thereby enhancing confidence in confidentiality and convenience.
Browns Lake, WI, boasts competitive pricing for hair follicle tests, delivering excellent value for all business sizes. Our quick turnaround times ensure results are processed without delay, supporting timely decision-making.
Employers benefit from cost-effective solutions that maintain high standards of testing accuracy and reliability, making it easier to uphold workplace safety with affordable and efficient service.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Browns Lake, WI, make it an excellent choice for detecting substance use. Each test is conducted with the highest accuracy, ensuring fast, reliable results that employers and individuals can trust.
These tests provide clear evidence of substance use, ensuring that employers receive accurate information swiftly. With quick processing times, hair follicle tests present a dependable option for timely substance use identification.
Using hair follicle testing in Browns Lake, WI ensures adherence to workplace drug policies. With its robust results, this method reduces legal risks associated with non-compliance, aiding employers in sustaining a safe work environment.
Employers benefit from peace of mind, knowing they are using a method that reinforces zero-tolerance drug use policies, thereby enhancing overall safety and maintaining a compliant, drug-free workplace.
