Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug screening in Cottonwood, Alaska. For those requiring hair-based substance testing, our centers, spanning cities nationwide, are equipped for these assessments. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or alternative body hair may be used for this analysis, detecting drugs, alcohol/ETG, or facilitating customized testing solutions.
Recently, hair follicle drug tests have grown popular in substance screening procedures. Employers, judicial systems, and substance misuse experts are increasingly opting for hair analyses over urine testing. Organizations with strict no-drug policies, courts, and probationers prefer hair testing. The advantage lies in its extended detection range of up to 90 days and its observed collection, making it nearly foolproof. However, urine tests remain supreme for detecting recent drug use within a 5-day window.
* 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 has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand, hair offers a long-term account of alcohol and other drugs. When obtained near the scalp, hair can deliver up to an estimated three-month window of detection for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional substances, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair in this context, whereas "body hair" covers all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step includes ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any further data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening encompasses a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening efficiently eliminates drug usage in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to be considered valid in court. Samples that initially test positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than other methodologies (for instance, urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing positive initially are washed ahead of confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being referred to as "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing with standard urine tests in Cottonwood, AK, it becomes evident that hair testing offers superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which can be limited in their detection window, hair tests provide a broader timeframe, capturing evidence of substance use for up to 90 days. This extended detection capability highlights hair testing as the more reliable option for employers and institutions.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Cottonwood, AK, allows employers an expansive view of an individual’s substance use history. Covering up to 90 days, this method aids in assessing both current and past substance behaviors, offering insights that go beyond what traditional testing permits. This extensive window is crucial for making informed hiring and retention decisions, promoting workplace reliability.
In Cottonwood, AK, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration. This secure testing method ensures the authenticity and validity of results, offering a higher degree of reliability. Such safeguards instill trust in the findings, providing essential evidence for decision-making processes that depend on accurate drug testing outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing in Cottonwood, AK, offers convenient nationwide locations, ensuring accessible and stress-free testing services. Our centers across the country streamline the testing process, enabling individuals and organizations to obtain the necessary screenings with ease. This widespread facility network guarantees that testing is simple and expedient, accommodating various needs promptly.
The process for undergoing hair follicle testing in Cottonwood, AK, is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, this method prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing common concerns about discretion and ease of use. The confidential approach ensures individuals can navigate the testing process without compromising their privacy or encountering unnecessary complexities.
In Cottonwood, AK, our testing services boast affordable pricing and prompt turnaround, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Competitive pricing structures, combined with rapid result delivery, make hair follicle testing a cost-effective solution without sacrificing reliability. This balance of affordability and speed is crucial for employers prioritizing efficiency and economic sensibility.
In Cottonwood, AK, hair follicle drug tests promise fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision inherent in these tests makes them highly effective in identifying substance usage. This method surpasses traditional testing options by providing swift turnaround times while ensuring consistent accuracy, making it an ideal choice for workplaces and institutions requiring reliable screening methodologies.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Cottonwood, AK, ensures employers compliance and peace of mind. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, this method helps in mitigating legal risks and enhancing the safety of the work environment. Employers can rely on these tests to support a compliant, substance-free workplace, ultimately contributing to a secure and productive atmosphere.
