In Sheffield, Alabama, Accredited Drug Testing offers extensive hair follicle drug testing services. Our expertise in hair testing is complemented by our widespread testing centers across all cities Nationwide, ready to conduct precise hair tests. Typically, a hair sample of 1.5 to 2 inches is required, either from the crown of the head or body. These tests can be tailored for detection of drugs, alcohol/ETG, among other specifications.
Recently, hair follicle drug tests have become a common method for drug screening. This form of testing is being favored by employers, legal institutions, and substance abuse professionals over the conventional urine tests. Hair tests are preferred by organizations with stringent drug use policies as they offer a remarkable detection period of up to 90 days, are collected under direct supervision, and are extremely difficult to tamper with. For drug usage detection within the last 5 days, however, urine tests remain the most accurate.
* 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 compelling resource for identifying substance and alcohol use. Hair captures a historical record by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal substance and alcohol use within a span of up to roughly 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or more than 10-panel tests, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It’s advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair (facial, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
The four foundational stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This encompasses ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for drug misuse. Though Screening is economically efficient for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be validated for legal acceptability. Samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are withdrawn from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is supervised under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is of the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle and urine testing reveals hair testing’s superior detection capabilities. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests offer a longer detection period, providing a more accurate substance use history. This makes hair testing a valuable tool for employers in Sheffield, AL, seeking reliable drug testing methods.
Hair follicle tests in Sheffield, AL, provide an extended detection window that spans up to 90 days, far surpassing the typical timeline of urine tests. This comprehensive detection period offers employers critical insights into the long-term substance history of potential or current employees, ensuring informed decisions.
In Sheffield, AL, the risk of sample tampering is greatly minimized with hair follicle testing. The test's design inherently reduces the chance of adulteration, ensuring the integrity of the test results. This offers employers and institutions a strong sense of confidence in the reliability of drug test outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing boasts an extensive network of nationwide locations, including Sheffield, AL, guaranteeing access to our efficient testing services. This widespread availability ensures that individuals and organizations can quickly and conveniently manage their testing needs without hassle.
The process of obtaining, conducting, and reviewing hair follicle test results in Sheffield, AL, is straightforward and confidential. Accredited Drug Testing ensures privacy and ease, allowing users to confidently engage with our services, knowing that their sensitive information is securely handled.
With competitive pricing models and swift turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Sheffield, AL, provides cost-effective solutions for businesses of varying sizes. Our affordable services ensure that organizations can efficiently manage their drug testing needs without financial strain.
In Sheffield, AL, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its accuracy and speed. With precise detection capabilities, this testing method ensures that any substance use is reliably identified. The efficient processing of hair tests ensures timely results, making them a practical choice for those requiring swift and trustworthy outcomes.
Utilizing hair follicle drug tests in Sheffield, AL, ensures organizations maintain compliance with strict workplace drug policies. This testing method not only safeguards legal interests but also enhances overall safety, providing peace of mind for employers striving to uphold a drug-free environment.
