Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed history of alcohol and drugs by incorporating biomarkers within the hair strand's core. When harvested near the scalp, it can offer up to a roughly 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment with roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's width) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. If scalp hair can't be sourced, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. In discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies that the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry excluded from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a rapid preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court validity. Any samples that screen positive require further confirmation.
A presumptive positive in Screening leads to additional hair extraction from the initial sample for Extraction preparation. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation for any positive screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples are cleansed before Confirmation, if required. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is regulated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually targets the hair strand, not the follicle itself.
When comparing hair follicle testing to the traditional urine test in Georgetown, IL, the former offers superior detection accuracy. Hair tests detect substance use over a longer period, making them highly reliable.
Hair follicle testing in Georgetown, IL, offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeline allows a thorough review of an individual's substance history.
Utilizing hair follicle tests in Georgetown, IL, drastically reduces the risk of tampering. These tests ensure unquestionable sample integrity, providing trusted and accurate results.
Residents in Georgetown, IL benefit from the convenience of nationwide testing locations. These centers ensure hassle-free and quick access to necessary testing services.
In Georgetown, IL, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From test ordering to results retrieval, the simplicity ensures user comfort while maintaining privacy.
Competitive pricing and speedy results characterize hair follicle testing in Georgetown, IL. This combination provides excellent value for businesses, regardless of size.
The precision and speed of hair follicle tests make them a popular choice in Georgetown, IL. These tests provide rapid and accurate detection of substance use, ensuring timely results.
For businesses in Georgetown, IL, hair follicle testing offers both compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, it helps mitigate legal risks and boosts safety.
