Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol use. Hair retains a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by incorporating biomarkers into the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, it can offer up to roughly a three-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to mail.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, or panels above 10, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Note that head hair refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
Four primary phases are involved in processing a drug test result in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of bringing a sample into the lab's processing system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry missing from an electronic custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment checking for abuse substances. Although an efficient strategy to eliminate drug use for most specimens, a positive screening requires confirmation to be admissible in court. Samples flagged as presumptive positives in Screening need secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the specimen and prepared for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting why hair screening is challenging.
Confirmation of a positive screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Reeseville, WI Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests in accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are limited to recent use, hair tests maintain a detection window up to 90 days, making them superior for long-term substance use monitoring, giving a clear picture of an individual's habits.
Extended Detection Window in Reeseville, WI Hair follicle testing excels in its ability to trace drug use for a significantly extended period—up to 90 days. This gives employers a thorough overview of compliance with substance-free policies over time, ensuring a deeper insight into an individual's history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Reeseville, WI Hair follicle tests greatly diminish the likelihood of sample tampering. Their design ensures reliable, indisputable results, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process and maintaining trust in the outcomes received by employers and individuals alike.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Reeseville, WI With numerous testing centers across the nation, including in Reeseville, accessibility is assured. Our locations provide swift and convenient testing services, eliminating the hassle and ensuring a streamlined process for all testing needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Reeseville, WI The entire testing process is designed to be simple and private. From ordering to testing and receiving results, confidentiality is maintained, addressing any privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for every participant involved in the drug testing process.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Reeseville, WI Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times characterize our drug testing services. We offer excellent value, accommodating the needs of companies, regardless of size, providing assurance and ease with our quick and reliable service.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Reeseville, WI Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision, delivering fast and accurate results. Their high level of accuracy ensures dependable detection of substance use, providing reliable insights for employers on an individual's drug history, thus enhancing decision-making processes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Reeseville, WI Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies. It significantly minimizes legal risks while promoting workplace safety. Employers benefit from peace of mind, knowing their commitment to a safe and compliant environment is upheld.
