Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures long-term indicators of substances like alcohol in the strands of hair as they grow. When hair is obtained near the scalp, it can reflect up to a 3-month timeframe of drug and alcohol use. Collecting hair is easy, tampering with it is relatively hard, and shipping is straightforward.
An approximately 1.5-inch section containing around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a standard #2 pencil) is needed to acquire 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests such as EtG enhancements and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. In scenarios where scalp hair is inaccessible, equivalent body hair may be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair refers to all other types (like facial hair and underarm hair).
Process Overview
The key phases in the laboratory processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocates a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any extra data entry the electronic chain of custody system does not cover.
Screening offers a preliminary, swift examination for substance misuse. While Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug use on most samples, a non-negative screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples indicated as possibly positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample test as possibly positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower levels than with other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing notably challenging to execute.
Verification of any non-negative screening outcome is achieved through methodologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positive results are cleaned before confirmation as required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated 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 often called "hair follicle tests", the test itself focuses on the hair strand, not the hair follicle located beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eau Galle, WI
When choosing between hair follicle and urine drug testing, the benefits of the former are clear in Eau Galle, WI. Not only does hair testing provide a longer detection window, but it also offers increased accuracy and reliability compared to the traditional urine methods, supporting enhanced drug use assessments.
Hair testing is less likely to be fooled by attempts at tampering, ensuring that the results are more credible.
Extended Detection Window in Eau Galle, WI
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing is a significant advantage for employers in Eau Galle, WI. Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days back, offering a detailed view of an individual’s substance use history.
This capability ensures that employers can make informed decisions based on a comprehensive analysis of an applicant or employee's long-term drug use patterns.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eau Galle, WI
Hair follicle tests stand out for their tamper-resistant qualities, significantly minimizing the potential for adulteration. In Eau Galle, WI, employers gain confidence in reliable and unquestionable outcomes, ensuring integrity in the drug testing process.
The natural structure of hair provides a safeguard against sample manipulation, securing credible results from the testing procedures.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eau Galle, WI
Eau Galle, WI benefits from the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing’s nationwide and local locations, promising swift and accessible drug testing services across the area.
These facilities are designed for hassle-free access, enabling employers and individuals to easily obtain necessary testing services without complications.
Simple, Confidential Process in Eau Galle, WI
In Eau Galle, WI, Accredited Drug Testing offers a straightforward and confidential process to order, take, and receive results, addressing privacy and ease of use effectively.
This process ensures that individual rights to privacy are preserved while maintaining ease and comfort throughout every stage of testing.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eau Galle, WI
Accredited Drug Testing in Eau Galle, WI, emphasizes affordable pricing models combined with fast turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for enterprises of all scales.
Companies benefit from competitive rates while receiving prompt results, enabling efficient decisions supported by economical testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eau Galle, WI
Hair follicle drug testing is celebrated for its precise and rapid results, providing an accurate assessment of substance use. In Eau Galle, WI, these tests deliver reliable information about long-term drug use, ensuring both speed and accuracy superior to other methods.
Employers trust hair follicle testing because of its exceptional ability to detect the presence of drugs or alcohol consistently and thoroughly. This method minimizes errors and enhances trust through accurate results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eau Galle, WI
Employers in Eau Galle, WI, gain peace of mind through the assurance of consistent compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enlivened by hair follicle testing which reduces legal risks and promotes safety.
These tests provide a dependable method to ensure that workplace environments remain safe and drug-free, supporting policy adherence and risk management.