Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When the sample is collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection window of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection process for hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 hairs (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other varieties (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample in a lab’s system, ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-effective technique for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive screen result needs further validation to be upheld in legal proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is collected from the initial specimen to prepare for Extraction. This stage involves retrieving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though they are often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Whittlesey, WI, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine tests due to its enhanced reliability in detecting substances. Hair tests identify usage over an extended timeframe, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history, unlike traditional urine analysis, which is limited to more recent usage.
The reliability of hair follicle tests compared to urine tests is a pivotal advantage for organizations enforcing drug-free workplace policies. Their superior detection accuracy allows for a longer detection window, essentially eliminating the risk of recent abstinence masking true drug-use patterns, which is often a challenge with urine testing methods.
Whittlesey, WI benefits from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle tests, capable of revealing drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This long detection period provides workplaces with crucial information on an employee's or prospective employee's substance habits.
This comprehensive detection period offered by hair testing in Whittlesey, WI ensures that employers gain thorough insights into an individual's substance usage. It accounts for up to 90 days of retrospective drug-use data, helping organizations make well-considered decisions based on extensive substance use evidence.
The security and reliability of hair follicle testing in Whittlesey, WI stands out as a major advantage. This testing method decreases the chances of tampering significantly, ensuring that results remain accurate and trustworthy.
Hair follicle tests in Whittlesey, WI are known for their robust safety measures that make them virtually tamper-resistant. This serious deterrence against adulteration means employers can have full confidence in the integrity of test outcomes, fostering trust in a reliable testing protocol.
Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including in Whittlesey, WI, provides convenient access to hair follicle testing services. This accessibility ensures a smooth and seamless testing experience for all patrons.
With local and nationwide locations available, acquiring drug testing in Whittlesey, WI has never been more straightforward. The easily reachable centers eliminate the hassles traditionally associated with drug testing, promoting rapid and accessible service delivery.
In Whittlesey, WI, the hair follicle testing process is outlined to be simple and confidential. It guarantees privacy throughout each step, from order placement to test completion and needing results.
The process is tailored for ease and confidentiality, addressing any potential privacy concerns individuals in Whittlesey, WI might have. This seamless approach ensures test takers can confidently engage with the hair follicle testing process without undue worry.
Hair follicle testing services in Whittlesey, WI are competitively affordable. The pricing structures are set to accommodate various organizational needs while maintaining the quality and speed of test results.
Businesses of all sizes in Whittlesey, WI can take advantage of our cost-effective pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Ensuring excellent value, these tests provide peace of mind by offering reliable results promptly, allowing organizations to act swiftly on crucial decisions.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle testing in Whittlesey, WI are unmatched. This method ensures fast and accurate results, making it an ideal choice for detecting substances efficiently. The accuracy of these tests in identifying drug usage is impressively high, empowering employers and professionals to make well-informed decisions without delay.
Employers looking for reliable screening methods will find hair follicle tests to be highly accurate and quicker in generating results. By prioritizing reliability, this testing technique stands out for its ability to deliver detailed insights into an individual's substance usage, fostering a trustworthy environment in important professional and legal settings.
Employers in Whittlesey, WI find compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This advanced testing method helps reinforce drug-free workplace policies efficiently, mitigating potential legal risks.
Employing hair follicle testing allows businesses in Whittlesey, WI to ensure a safer work environment. By adhering to regulatory compliance and reducing legal liabilities, these tests promote both safety and assurance, important factors in maintaining operational integrity.
