In Atmore, Alabama, Accredited Drug Testing provides thorough hair follicle testing services. Specializing in this type of testing, we have centers nationwide, offering testing for drugs and alcohol, including ETG. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body is required, and a variety of substances can be detected based on test configuration.
Increasingly, hair follicle testing is preferred for drug screening by employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals due to its reliability over conventional urine tests. This method aligns with zero-tolerance policies and offers a detection window of up to 90 days through an observed collection process, making it highly secure against tampering. However, urine tests remain optimal for detecting recent usage within five days.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
Using hair as a testing medium is now regarded as a significant approach to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-duration record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing strand fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to an estimated 3-month time frame for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to send.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advised. It’s best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should there be no scalp hair present, a comparable amount of body hair can be taken. While discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other kinds of hair (i.e., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases within the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the initial management of a sample into the lab’s systems. It covers verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody procedure.
Screening is a preliminary swift examination for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result from Screening demands confirmation to be admissible legally. Any samples initially positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
When a sample appears initially positive during the Screening phase, more hair is utilized from the starting specimen to prep for Extraction. This step involves removing drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other procedures (like urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging procedures to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples found initially positive undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The complete lab process, ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this assessment examines the hair strand and not the scalp’s underlying hair follicle
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests with its enhanced detection capabilities and reliability in Atmore, AL. While traditional urine tests may only cover recent substance use, hair tests provide a broader and more accurate picture of an individual's drug history, minimizing false negatives and enhancing trust in results.
Employers in Atmore, AL value hair follicle testing for its extended detection window. Capable of uncovering drug use up to 90 days prior, it provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use history. This feature is critical for informed decision-making, offering peace of mind by ensuring comprehensive candidate evaluation.
Hair follicle testing is a robust method against tampering, offering reliable results in Atmore, AL. The test's process inherently reduces risks associated with sample adulteration, providing results that are tough to question and ensuring the integrity of the substance screening process for all stakeholders involved.
Our extensive network of testing centers, including those in Atmore, AL, provides unparalleled convenience for drug testing services. With locations nationwide, accessing testing services is straightforward and efficient, minimizing hassle and ensuring a smooth process through simple and accessible solutions everywhere.
In Atmore, AL, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to attending a test, and finally obtaining results, we prioritize privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns and ensuring a smooth, discreet experience that respects individual confidentiality at each step.
Offering competitive pricing, our hair follicle testing in Atmore, AL ensures great value. Combined with fast turnaround times, this offers companies a cost-effective solution to their drug screening needs, enabling a swift and efficient verification process that fits within budgetary constraints without compromising on quality.
In Atmore, AL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and rapid results. These tests are trusted for their high level of accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring that employers receive reliable data quickly. This method's efficiency facilitates faster decision-making processes where substance history is a critical factor.
Ensuring compliance and peace of mind for Atmore, AL employers, hair follicle tests align with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal and safety risks, fostering a safer work environment and averts potential liabilities, thereby supporting employer vigilance in maintaining a committed and drug-free workforce.
