Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a formidable method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. The fibers of the hair shaft capture and store biomarkers, documenting a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs. When hair is cut close to the head, it can provide an estimated 90-day detection period for the presence of alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, tough to tamper with, and convenient to send for examination.
A lock of hair measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is an ideal amount for analysis and verification. For tests requiring EtG, additional testing, and/or more than a 10-panel test, 150mg of the material is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair can be used instead. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. All other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary) fall under body hair.
Process Overview
The four essential phases in processing a drug test result in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary stage where a sample is integrated into a laboratory's system. This entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplemental data not captured by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening involves an expedited check for abused substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated for admissibility in legal contexts. Every sample that tests presumptively positive during Screening requires further verification through secondary confirmation.
Upon receiving a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair will be extracted from the collected sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any Screening positive result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as warranted. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized accordingly to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation aligning with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis itself targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cashton, WI Hair testing demonstrates superior detection compared to traditional urine tests. It offers enhanced accuracy and is highly reliable, ensuring a comprehensive check for employers and professionals. Hair tests have a proven track record of detecting substances effectively over a more extended period.
Extended Detection Window in Cashton, WI Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period, monitoring drug use for up to 90 days. This longer window allows employers to gain an insightful perspective on an individual’s substance use past, ensuring informed decision-making regarding potential hires or current employees.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cashton, WI Hair follicle tests are known for their resistance to tampering, providing results that both employers and governing authorities can trust. This method minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, delivering unquestionable and reliable outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Cashton, WI Our widespread network of testing centers ensures rapid access across the nation, including local services in Cashton, WI, facilitating a straightforward and effortless testing experience. This convenience simplifies the testing process remarkably.
Simple, Confidential Process in Cashton, WI The straightforward and private nature of ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle testing ensures users' privacy and ease. This confidentiality helps address concerns and fosters a seamless testing encounter.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cashton, WI Our competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround times offer excellent value, delivering peace of mind for businesses of all sizes. These features highlight both affordability and efficiency in our testing services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Cashton, WI The precision and pace of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched, offering highly accurate readings on substance use. Their reliability in identifying drug consumption provides peace of mind to both employers and authorities, delivering results swiftly and accurately.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cashton, WI Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies, diminish legal risks, and enhance overall safety. The assurance of compliance and reliable testing fosters a secure and productive working environment.
