Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair drug tests have gained prominence as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a historical timeline of alcohol and drug presence by preserving biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. By collecting hair near the scalp, it can offer around a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to adulterate, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg—the perfect amount for initial and confirmatory testing. For add-ons like EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. We advise weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent amount of body hair might be gathered. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is introduced into the laboratory’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result must be confirmed for courtroom validity. Samples that appear positive during Screening require additional confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in much lower concentrations than in other techniques (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug testing a particularly challenging method to perform.
Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to Confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to reviews under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests," these tests actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Saint Joseph, WI, the superiority of hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing is evident. Hair tests offer enhanced detection capabilities, making it harder for users to circumvent. Why Hair Testing Excels
With an extended detection window, hair follicle tests in Saint Joseph, WI can identify drug use over the past 90 days. This lengthy period allows businesses to understand an individual's substance history thoroughly. Benefits:
Employing a more secure method, hair follicle tests in Saint Joseph, WI safeguard against sample tampering. Advantages:
Access testing services with ease in Saint Joseph, WI with our convenient nationwide locations. Access and Convenience:
In Saint Joseph, WI, enjoy a simple, confidential hair testing process. Process Highlights:
Competitive pricing and rapid results define our hair testing service in Saint Joseph, WI. Value Proposition:
Experience fast, accurate, and reliable results with hair follicle testing in Saint Joseph, WI. These tests are renowned for their precision. Key Benefits:
For businesses in Saint Joseph, WI, hair follicle testing boosts compliance and safety. Compliance and Security: