Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug evaluations in Highland Lakes, Alabama. Specializing in hair-based drug and alcohol assessments, we provide testing centers across the Nationwide and in every city to accommodate hair testing requirements. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body can be tested. Hair tests detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or can be customized for other testing needs.
In recent years, drug testing methodologies have increasingly incorporated hair follicle tests. Many employers, the judiciary, and Substance Abuse experts now choose hair follicle evaluations over traditional urine testing. Hair follicle tests are preferred by zero-tolerance employers, legal systems, and probation officers due to their advantage of an extended detection period, generally up to 90 days. They are collected under observation, making them difficult to manipulate. However, urine tests remain reliable for detecting very recent drug use within the past 5 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.
Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for identifying the presence of drugs and alcohol, as it records long-term consumption patterns by encapsulating chemical markers within the hair's fibers during growth. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a historical drug and alcohol usage overview of nearly three months. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and the samples are easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields around 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for preliminary testing and verification. For EtG testing, supplementary testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is best to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If hair from the scalp cannot be collected, a comparable amount of body hair might be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair covers other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing process involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage where the sample is integrated into the laboratory system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a new LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves completing any missing information not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial quick assessment for common misuse substances. Although it is a cost-efficient method for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive Screening result must undergo confirmation for legal validity. Samples testing positive during Screening necessitate further corroboration.
In the event of a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for the Extraction phase. Here, drug compounds are extracted from the hair, with a sensitivity significantly higher than alternate techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting hair testing as the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation follows any positive Screening outcome and is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly mislabeled as "hair follicle tests", these evaluations analyze the hair strand itself instead of the hair root beneath the skin.
In Highland Lakes, AL, hair follicle testing prevails over urine testing through several key advantages. Notably, hair testing provides superior detection, capable of identifying drug use over a longer timeline compared to urine tests. The reliability of outcomes further enhances their favorability among Highland professionals.
Compared to urine tests, hair analysis shines in terms of accuracy and reliability. Highland Lakes employers and authorities prefer hair testing for its comprehensive insights into a person’s substance use history, encouraging its adoption over traditional urine analyses in the region.
Hair follicle testing's extended detection window is a substantial advantage for Highland Lakes, AL. Able to trace drug use up to 90 days prior, it provides employers with a robust overview of substance use history, granting them a more complete picture of a candidate's past habits.
By effectively spanning a broader timeline, hair follicle tests become indispensable tools for employers in Highland Lakes, seeking clarity and profundity regarding an employee's prolonged drug use patterns, far surpassing the reach of traditional methods.
In Highland Lakes, AL, hair follicle tests stand as a formidable deterrent against sample tampering. With these tests, the chances of adulteration are substantially reduced, ensuring that results remain trustworthy and legitimate.
As a tamper-resistant method, hair follicle testing assures Highland Lakes professionals of the integrity of their drug testing proceedings. The process is straightforward yet secure, eliminating the pitfalls associated with falsifying test samples.
Finding convenient testing centers nationwide, including Highland Lakes, AL, enhances the accessibility of hair follicle services. Providing prompt and easy access, these centers ease the testing cumbersome, offering straightforward and efficient solutions across the board.
The readily available local and nationwide locations facilitate seamless service delivery in Highland Lakes. Simplifying access to drug testing, these centers assure expedience and diminished inconvenience for all users involved.
Highland Lakes, AL, values a simple and confidential drug testing process, where privacy concerns are efficiently managed from ordering to results. The straightforward protocol ensures that clients can handle testing with ease and peace of mind.
Simplifying the drug testing process, hair follicle tests in Highland Lakes remain discreet. Clients appreciate the confidentiality maintained, reassuring them of the smooth handling and respect accorded to privacy necessities.
Highland Lakes, AL, benefits from economical drug testing options, with competitively priced hair follicle tests offering remarkable value. Quick turnaround times ensure results are promptly delivered, accentuating the tests' cost-effectiveness and utility to organizations.
Affordability in Highland Lakes meets efficiency with hair follicle tests, presenting businesses with a strategic mix of value and quality. The fast turnarounds reinforce their utility, serving diverse organizational needs effectively.
Highland Lakes, AL, benefits from the swift and precise results of hair follicle drug tests. The reliability of these tests ensures accurate detection of substances, granting stakeholders confidence in the outcomes. Hair testing not only discerns but does so with unparalleled speed, offering Highland residents an exceptional standard in drug testing.
The expedience associated with hair follicle tests makes them invaluable in urgent situations. Accuracy in Highland Lakes is crucial, and with hair testing, achieving trustable results is expedited remarkably—assuring stakeholders of their dependability.
For employers in Highland Lakes, AL, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, offering peace of mind through its reliable screening. By embracing this method, organizations can mitigate legal risks, promoting a safer, more compliant work environment.
The reliability of hair follicle tests enables Highland Lakes employers to sustain drug-free workplaces. It reinforces compliance while elevating safety, providing confidence in the organization’s commitment to health standards and legal obligations.
