Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments right in Pelham, Alabama. If a drug or alcohol hair test is what you seek, we specialize in hair analysis, having centers nationwide capable of performing these tests. A length of 1.5 to 2 inches on your scalp is typically sufficient. These tests assess for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other customizable options.
In recent times, hair follicle drug testing has become an increasingly popular practice among employers, courts, and Substance Abuse professionals, displacing the traditional urine test. Especially for employers with zero-tolerance policies, courts, and individuals on probation, the benefits are notable: a longer detection window, up to 90 days, utilizing an observed sampling process, rendering it exceedingly difficult to manipulate results. However, when detecting drug use from the last 5 days, the urine test remains the accurate choice.
* 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 increasingly recognized as a robust technique for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair provides an extended history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximately three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We recommend measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the initial handling of a sample within a lab's system, ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While it effectively eliminates drug usage in most samples at a lower cost, a positive screening requires confirmation for court validity. Presumptive positives from Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair gets extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. This step involves retrieving drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening highly challenging to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process, starting from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the sub-scalp follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pelham, AL
The advantages of hair over urine tests are evident in their superior accuracy and robustness. While traditional tests provide limited detection, hair testing offers a comprehensive view of a person's substance use, eliminating potential manipulation and providing clarity and assurance.
Extended Detection Window in Pelham, AL
Hair follicle testing offers a prolonged substance detection window of up to 90 days, making it a superior choice for employers seeking detailed insights into an individual’s long-term drug consumption, thereby enhancing the recruitment and monitoring processes.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pelham, AL
Hair follicle tests present a robust guard against sample tampering, ensuring that results remain reliable and credible. This method significantly reduces the chances of adulteration, thus offering employers trustworthy findings that stand up to scrutiny.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pelham, AL
Our testing centers are conveniently spread nationwide, assuring quick and easy access to essential testing services for clients across every region, including convenient local spots in Pelham, simplifying the entire process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Pelham, AL
The ordering, testing, and results retrieval process is designed to be straightforward and discreet, addressing privacy concerns and offering a user-friendly experience for all participants, ensuring their information remains secure and confidential.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pelham, AL
We offer competitive pricing structures paired with rapid turnaround times, ensuring exceptional value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes, making comprehensive drug testing accessible and efficient for every employer.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pelham, AL
Hair follicle tests provide precise and swift results, setting a high benchmark in accuracy for detecting substance use. The method's efficiency brings a precise understanding of an individual's drug history, assisting employers in making informed decisions with confidence.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pelham, AL
Integrating hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free policies, mitigating legal ramifications and promoting workplace safety. This approach empowers employers with confidence in maintaining compliant and secure environments.
