Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When collected close to the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to roughly three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil width) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal sample for initial analysis and validation. For EtG, optional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent body hair sample may be utilized. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in processing a drug test in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the first step of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This phase ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not covered by an electronic custody chain.
Screening provides an initial rapid verification for drug abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessitated for legal admissibility. Samples presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample registers presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (i.e., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The total lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair shaft, not the scalp's follicle.
Why Hair Testing Triumphs in Leopolis, WI
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. It provides a more comprehensive picture of one's substance use history, appealing to both employers and legal professionals.
Extended Detection in Leopolis, WI
Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its long detection window, analyzing drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days, giving clear insight into one's history.
Secure Testing in Leopolis, WI
Hair follicle drug tests greatly reduce the possibility of tampered samples, leading to trustworthy and irrefutable results essential for various determinations.
Convenient Testing Locations in Leopolis, WI
With a vast network of testing centers throughout the nation and locally in Leopolis, access to testing services is simplified, making the process quick and hassle-free.
Confidential and Simple Process in Leopolis, WI
Our approach to ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be straightforward and private, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
Competitive Pricing and Quick Turnaround in Leopolis, WI
Our services are structured to be competitively priced, with a fast turnaround that offers significant value and reassurance for companies of various sizes.
Fast and Reliable Testing in Leopolis, WI
Our hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and speed. They ensure high accuracy in substance detection, providing a reliable overview of drug use that surpasses other methods.
Employer Confidence in Leopolis, WI
Implementing hair follicle testing aids you in ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal troubles, and fostering a safe work environment.
