Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug tests in Birmingham, Alabama. If you require a hair drug or alcohol screening, Accredited Drug Testing offers expertise in hair assessments and operates testing facilities throughout the nation for conducting such tests. Typically, a sample of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body is adequate. These tests can be evaluated for various substances, including drugs and alcohol/ETG, with customizable options available.
In recent years, hair follicle drug testing has become more prevalent in drug screening practices. Many employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse professionals prefer it over traditional urine tests. Companies enforcing strict no-drug policies, courts, and individuals on probation often rely on hair analysis. A key advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection period, typically up to 90 days, collected under supervision and highly resistant to tampering. However, for detecting recent drug use within five days, urine testing remains the standard.
* 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.
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a long-term record of these substances by capturing biomarkers within its fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month timeframe for drug and alcohol presence. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those over 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is preferred. It is advisable to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary process where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This phase includes ensuring the sample’s seal and proper shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing data entry tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive result must be validated for courtroom admissibility. Samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening require additional confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, further hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair in notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which highlights the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Birmingham, AL, offers advantages over traditional urine examinations. Enhanced detection accuracy makes it a preferred choice for organizations keen on maintaining a drug-free environment. While urine tests may falter due to shorter detection windows, hair tests provide a broader and more profound perspective on drug usage.
The reliability of hair follicle testing is due to its intrinsic nature of capturing long-term substance intake. Urine tests may miss sporadic usage, whereas hair tests provide a holistic view. This comparison shows that hair tests are more suitable for environments with zero-tolerance policies, offering more reliability and peace of mind.
In Birmingham, AL, hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window, enabling identification of drug use over a substantial period, up to 90 days. This feature gives employers a detailed understanding of an individual's history with substances, vital for informed recruiting and management decisions.
Rather than focusing solely on recent intake, hair follicle tests in Birmingham offer deep insights into an individual's substance habits, making them invaluable for thorough assessments. This extended window allows for comprehensive evaluations, assisting in long-term strategic decision-making.
Hair follicle tests in Birmingham, AL, are recognized for their tamper resistance, markedly reducing the possibility of sample manipulation. This characteristic assures organizations that the test results they receive are authentic and trustworthy, crucial for upholding integrity in sensitive areas.
The reliable nature of hair testing makes it an attractive option for those seeking indisputable results. By significantly minimizing risks of adulteration, employers and authorities can feel confident in the authenticity of test outcomes, promoting robust and fair evaluations.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, Birmingham, AL, enjoys seamless and stress-free access to hair follicle testing services. Our extensive network ensures that individuals and businesses can attain necessary tests without hassle, experiencing prompt and efficient service.
Local accessibility simplifies the testing process, contributing to a pleasant experience for all participants. With strategically placed locations, Accredited Drug Testing facilitates easy communication and testing, demonstrating commitment to client satisfaction through outstanding convenience.
The process of hair follicle testing in Birmingham, AL, is both simple and confidential, ensuring participants can order, undergo testing, and receive results without concern for privacy or complexity. By streamlining each step, Accredited Drug Testing guarantees a straightforward experience.
Respecting individual confidentiality remains a top priority, providing assurance that test outcomes are handled discreetly. The process is designed to alleviate concerns over privacy while emphasizing efficiency and ease of use, catering to those needing dependable testing solutions.
Birmingham, AL, clients can enjoy competitive pricing with fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests, providing great value for organizations of various sizes. The affordable pricing structure ensures that businesses can maintain their drug policies without financial strain.
Our hair testing services deliver excellent value by merging affordability with swift result delivery. Business entities across sectors benefit from this cost-effective solution, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace while managing budgets effectively.
In Birmingham, AL, hair follicle drug tests provide a rapid and highly accurate means of assessing substance use. Precision is a hallmark of these tests, delivering results that inform crucial decisions. The efficiency of hair testing ensures that results are both reliable and timely, enabling individuals and organizations to act decisively based on sound evidence.
The standout feature of hair follicle tests is their ability to detect a wide range of substances with unmatched accuracy. This precision is crucial for industries where strict adherence to drug policies is mandatory. Moreover, the speediness of result delivery makes hair testing an accessible choice for many seeking dependable outcomes.
In Birmingham, AL, hair follicle testing helps ensure compliance with workplace drug policies, providing employers with peace of mind. Adopting hair testing can mitigate legal risks by offering a credible foundation for drug-free compliance, crucial for maintaining safe work environments.
Employers utilizing hair testing methods underscore their commitment to safety and compliance, reducing substance-related incidents. Trustworthy results enhance workplace efficiency, contribute to a secure environment, and offer reassurance to both employers and employees.
