Drug & Alcohol Testing Near Me

Find a Drug Test Center Near You

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Drug Testing Near Me

Looking for drug testing near me? Accredited Drug Testing, Inc. is the nation's trusted provider of same-day drug and alcohol testing with over 20,000 locations nationwide. Whether you need a DOT-regulated test, court-ordered screening, pre-employment drug test, or individual testing for personal reasons, we make scheduling fast, easy, and confidential. Our certified collection sites and laboratories ensure accurate, reliable results that meet federal and state compliance standards. Simply call (800) 221-4291 or schedule online 24/7 to find a convenient drug testing center near you. When safety, compliance, and peace of mind matter most, Accredited Drug Testing delivers trusted results on time, every time.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Options

Customized Testing Options Available l Discounts available for Bulk Purchases l Onsite Drug Testing Services

How Urine Drug Testing Works

Urine drug testing is the most commonly used screening method nationwide and is the only test type approved for DOT-regulated drug testing under 49 CFR Part 40. This testing method identifies recent substance use by analyzing a urine sample for drugs, drug metabolites, or alcohol biomarkers. The process is standardized, confidential, and designed to deliver accurate, legally defensible results for employers, individuals, and court-ordered programs.

Testing Methods & Collection Process

1. Donor Identity Verification

The donor provides a valid government-issued identification and completes the required chain-of-custody signatures before testing begins.

2. Secure Collection Environment

Urine specimens are collected in a controlled restroom environment to prevent tampering. Personal belongings may be restricted, water sources secured, and toilet water dyed as part of standard security measures.

3. Chain of Custody Documentation

A federally recognized Chain of Custody Form (CCF) tracks the sample from collection to laboratory analysis, ensuring the integrity and legal defensibility of the test.

4. Temperature & Validity Checks

Immediately after collection, the collector checks the specimen for proper temperature and appearance. The laboratory also performs validity testing, including measurements of creatinine, pH, specific gravity, and adulterant screening.

5. DOT Split Specimen

DOT urine tests are split into two vials; Bottle A for primary analysis and Bottle B for retesting if the donor disputes the result. For non DOT testing a single vial will be collected rather than a split specimen for DOT testing purposes.

6. Laboratory Screening & Confirmation

Samples are tested at SAMHSA-certified laboratories using a two-step process:

• Initial Immunoassay Screen:  detects drug classes.
• Confirmation Testing: GC/MS or LC/MS testing identifies specific drugs or metabolites with scientific precision.

7. MRO Verification

A licensed Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews non-negative results, verifies accuracy, and discusses possible medical explanations with the donor before releasing final results.

How Long Do Urine Test Results Take?

• Instant Urine Test: Same-day negative results; positive results sent to the lab for confirmation (24-72 hours).
• Lab-Based Urine Test: 24-48 hours for most negative results.
• DOT Drug Test: 1-3 business days depending on MRO review and donor contact.
• Urine EtG Alcohol Test: Typically 24-48 hours.

Additional time may be required for shy bladder situations, invalid specimens, or if laboratory confirmation or donor contact is needed.

Benefits of Urine Drug & Alcohol Testing

• Currently the only DOT approved and federally recognized for regulated testing.
• Detects recent use, ideal for workplace and post-accident scenarios.
• Low cost and fast turnaround.
• Widely accepted by courts, employers, and government agencies.
• Instant testing options available for rapid screening.
• Highly accurate with GC/MS or LC/MS confirmation technology.

Limitations of Urine Drug & Alcohol Testing

• Shorter detection window (1-7 days for most drugs).
• Potential for tampering without proper security measures.
• Cannot show long-term or historical use patterns.
• Requires restroom access and specific collection protocols.
• Standard urine tests do not detect alcohol unless EtG/EtS testing is used.

Despite these limitations, urine testing remains the most practical and widely used method for drug and alcohol screening nationwide.

How Hair Drug Testing Works

Hair drug and alcohol testing is a highly reliable laboratory method used to identify long-term patterns of substance use. Unlike urine testing, which detects recent drug or alcohol consumption, hair testing provides a 90-day detection window by analyzing drug metabolites embedded within the hair shaft. This makes hair testing ideal for workplace programs, court cases, child custody matters, and any situation requiring a longer view of an individual’s substance use history.

Testing Methods & Collection Process

1. Donor Identity Verification

Before the collection begins, the donor presents a valid government-issued ID, and all required consent and chain-of-custody signatures are completed to ensure proper documentation.

2. Hair Collection Procedure

A trained collector obtains a small hair sample - typically 100-120 strands - cut close to the scalp. The preferred collection site is the crown of the head, but if head hair is not available, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The procedure is quick, painless, and performed under direct observation.

3. Chain of Custody Documentation

A Hair Drug Test Custody and Control Form is completed to document the collection, sealing, and transfer of the specimen. This ensures that results are legally defensible and properly protected throughout the testing process.

4. Laboratory Preparation & Analysis

At the laboratory, the hair sample undergoes several forensic steps:

• Decontamination: The hair is washed to remove external contaminants such as smoke or environmental exposure.
• Cutting/Grinding: The hair is segmented or pulverized to prepare it for extraction.
• Extraction: Drug metabolites are chemically extracted from the hair matrix.

The sample then undergoes highly sensitive laboratory testing:

• Initial Screening - Immunoassay analysis identifies classes of drugs.
• Confirmation Testing - GC/MS or LC/MS technology verifies specific drugs and metabolites with scientific precision.

5. Metabolite Detection

Drug metabolites become trapped inside the hair shaft as the hair grows, providing a stable and long-term record of substance use. Because metabolites are incorporated internally, hair testing is extremely difficult to adulterate or cheat.

6. MRO Review

A certified Medical Review Officer reviews all non-negative results to confirm accuracy, evaluate potential medical explanations, and issue an official final result.

How Long Do Hair Test Results Take?

• Standard Hair Test: 2-3 business days after the sample reaches the laboratory.
• Complex Panels or Alcohol Testing (EtG/FAEE): 3-5 business days depending on the test panel.

Because hair testing involves multi-step laboratory processing, turnaround times are slightly longer than urine testing but offer unmatched detection consistency.

Benefits of Hair Drug & Alcohol Testing

• 90-day detection window for long-term substance use.
• Extremely difficult to cheat or adulterate.
• Provides patterns of consistent, sporadic, or discontinued drug use.
• Ideal for court cases, child custody, and compliance programs.
• Non-invasive and quick collection process.
• Highly accurate confirmation testing through GC/MS or LC/MS.

Limitations of Hair Drug & Alcohol Testing

• Cannot detect very recent drug use (first 5-7 days after use).
• Higher cost compared to urine or oral fluid tests.
• Body hair cannot provide an exact detection timeframe.
• Some substances incorporate into hair differently depending on hair type and growth rate.
• Not approved for DOT testing requirements.

Despite these limitations, hair testing remains one of the most reliable methods for identifying long-term substance use and is widely used by employers, legal professionals, and individuals seeking accurate and tamper-resistant results.

Accredited Drug Testing has 17,488 drug screening centers in 50 states.

Please select a state from the list below to find drug screening locations near you.

Alcohol & Drug Testing-How Each Method Works

Accredited Drug Testing provides a full range of alcohol and drug screening options, each designed to meet employer, DOT, legal, and personal testing needs. Understanding how each test works ensures accurate selection, reliable results, and full compliance with federal and state guidelines. Our nationwide network, certified laboratories, and expert Medical Review Officers deliver the precision, trust, and professionalism required for dependable testing outcomes.

Alcohol Urine Drug Test

An alcohol urine test detects recent alcohol consumption by identifying ethanol metabolites in urine. This method is commonly used for workplace testing, court requirements, and post-accident situations. While it does not measure current impairment, it provides a short detection window of several hours, offering a quick, cost-effective option for screening.

ETG Alcohol Test (Urine)

The EtG (Ethyl Glucuronide) urine test is a highly sensitive method capable of detecting alcohol use up to 80 hours after consumption. Because EtG is a direct metabolite of ethanol, this test is widely used by courts, rehabilitation programs, and compliance monitoring agencies. It provides a longer detection window than traditional urine alcohol tests and is known for its accuracy and reliability.

Breath Alcohol Test

A breath alcohol test measures current impairment by analyzing the alcohol concentration in deep lung air. These tests are administered using DOT-approved breath alcohol devices (EBTs) and provide instant, legally defensible results. Breath testing is required for DOT-covered employees and is frequently used for workplace, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing.

Blood Alcohol Test

A blood alcohol test directly measures the amount of ethanol circulating in the bloodstream, making it one of the most accurate methods for determining impairment. Hospitals, law enforcement, and legal agencies rely on blood alcohol testing for its precision, particularly in DUI cases, emergency care, and high-stakes legal investigations.

PEth Alcohol Blood Test

A PEth (Phosphatidylethanol) blood test detects chronic or heavy alcohol consumption by identifying alcohol-specific biomarkers inside red blood cells. PEth can detect use up to 2-3 weeks and is considered one of the most reliable indicators of long-term drinking behavior. This test is commonly used in family law cases, monitoring programs, treatment centers, and pre-employment screening for safety-sensitive industries.

ETG Alcohol Test (Hair)

The EtG hair alcohol test provides a 90-day detection window by analyzing alcohol metabolites embedded within the hair shaft. This method identifies patterns of repeated or chronic alcohol use rather than one-time consumption. Courts, child custody cases, and long-term monitoring programs rely on hair EtG testing due to its stability, accuracy, and resistance to short-term abstinence attempts.

With expert guidance, nationally accredited labs, and fast scheduling, Accredited Drug Testing ensures every alcohol screening method delivers defensible, clear, and compliant results; helping individuals and employers stay informed, secure, and in full regulatory compliance.

Sources

• DOT - 49 CFR Part 40: https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40
• SAMHSA Workplace Guidelines: https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace
• Society of Hair Testing (SoHT): https://www.soht.org
• NHTSA (Breath Alcohol Devices): https://www.nhtsa.gov
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov
• Journal of Analytical Toxicology (PEth, EtG/EtS studies)